Journal of Occupational
Health and Epidemiology
Rafsanjan university Of medical sciences
Volume 15, Issue 2 (Spring 2026)
J Occup Health Epidemiol 2026, 15(2): 128-135 |
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Manoharan K, Gopakumar G, Shriraam V, Joseph A, Sameer M. Prevalence of Musculoskeletal Discomfort among Daily-Wage Working Women in a South Indian Panchayat Area. J Occup Health Epidemiol 2026; 15 (2) :128-135
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1- Ph.D. Research Scholar, Dept. of Clinical Nutrition, Sri Ramachandra Faculty of Allied Health Sciences, Sri Ramachandra Institute of Higher Education and Research. (DU), Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India.
2- Assistant Prof., Dept. of Clinical Nutrition, Sri Ramachandra Faculty of Allied Health Sciences, Sri Ramachandra Institute of Higher Education and Research. (DU), Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India. ,gayathri.g@sriramachandra.edu.in
3- Professor, Dept. of Community Medicine, Sri Ramachandra Institute of Higher Education and Research. (DU), Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India.
4- Professor, Division of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, SRM Institute of Science and Technology, Kattankalathur - 603203, Tamil Nadu, India.
5- Associate Prof., Dept. of Orthopaedics, Sri Ramachandra Institute of Higher Education and Research. (DU), Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India.
2- Assistant Prof., Dept. of Clinical Nutrition, Sri Ramachandra Faculty of Allied Health Sciences, Sri Ramachandra Institute of Higher Education and Research. (DU), Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India. ,
3- Professor, Dept. of Community Medicine, Sri Ramachandra Institute of Higher Education and Research. (DU), Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India.
4- Professor, Division of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, SRM Institute of Science and Technology, Kattankalathur - 603203, Tamil Nadu, India.
5- Associate Prof., Dept. of Orthopaedics, Sri Ramachandra Institute of Higher Education and Research. (DU), Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India.
Article history
Received: 2025/11/6
Accepted: 2026/05/21
ePublished: 2026/06/30
Accepted: 2026/05/21
ePublished: 2026/06/30
Subject:
Occupational Health
Abstract: (9 Views)
Background: Musculoskeletal discomfort (MSD) is one of the common occupational hazards among rural daily-wage female workers due to repetitive physical activities, poor postural practices, and lifting of heavy loads. The current study aimed to identify the prevalence of MSDs and the body sites affected among rural agricultural daily-wage women in a rural panchayat of South India.
Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted among women aged 30–60 years working as agricultural daily-wage labourers in the Cheyyur panchayat unit, Chengalpattu district, Tamil Nadu. Participants were selected by systematic random sampling from the eight constituent villages using probability proportionate to size. The standardized Cornell Musculoskeletal Discomfort Questionnaire (CMDQ) and a Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) were interviewer-administered in the local language to assess the prevalence, frequency, severity, work interference, and intensity of MSD.
Results: Among 300 participants, 76% experienced MSD. The most commonly reported areas of discomfort were the hip (22.66%) and lower back (22.33%), followed by the right lower leg (17%). Overall, 73% experienced pain several times a day in one or more body parts, 62% reported severe discomfort, and 38.67% indicated that pain significantly affected their work capacity. Overall pain scores did not differ significantly across age or BMI groups. On the VAS, the hip was the most common site of severe pain (15.33%).
Conclusions: MSD affected nearly three-quarters of the women, with the hip being the most affected and disabling region. Over one-third reported that pain reduced their work capacity, indicating a significant impact on productivity.
Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted among women aged 30–60 years working as agricultural daily-wage labourers in the Cheyyur panchayat unit, Chengalpattu district, Tamil Nadu. Participants were selected by systematic random sampling from the eight constituent villages using probability proportionate to size. The standardized Cornell Musculoskeletal Discomfort Questionnaire (CMDQ) and a Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) were interviewer-administered in the local language to assess the prevalence, frequency, severity, work interference, and intensity of MSD.
Results: Among 300 participants, 76% experienced MSD. The most commonly reported areas of discomfort were the hip (22.66%) and lower back (22.33%), followed by the right lower leg (17%). Overall, 73% experienced pain several times a day in one or more body parts, 62% reported severe discomfort, and 38.67% indicated that pain significantly affected their work capacity. Overall pain scores did not differ significantly across age or BMI groups. On the VAS, the hip was the most common site of severe pain (15.33%).
Conclusions: MSD affected nearly three-quarters of the women, with the hip being the most affected and disabling region. Over one-third reported that pain reduced their work capacity, indicating a significant impact on productivity.
Keywords: Musculoskeletal Pain [MeSH], Women Working [MeSH], Rural Population [MeSH], Occupational Health [MeSH], Pain Measurement [MeSH], Well-Being [MeSH]
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