Musculoskeletal symptoms among tea pluckers in India

Abstract

The aim of the study was to investigate musculoskeletal symptoms among tea pluckers in India using standardized Nordic questionnaire. They were interviewed individually for symptoms in the neck, shoulders, elbows, wrists/hands, upper back, lower back, hips/thighs/buttocks, knees and ankles/feet. Among 500 tea pluckers recruited for the study, 463 were females and 37 were males. Symptoms were most commonly reported at the shoulders (71.8%) followed by the neck (66.4%), upper back (65.6%), wrists/hands (50.4%), lower back (47.2%), elbows (39.4%), knees (10.0%), hips/thighs/buttocks (5.4%) and ankles/feet (2.6%). Because of musculoskeletal symptoms on any one or more body regions, at least once in their working life, 36.2% of the subjects sought professional treatment, but none of the tea pluckers were hospitalized. Due to musculoskeletal symptom in the neck, the maximum number of subjects (7.6%) was prevented from doing their normal work. Females were more likely to display musculoskeletal symptoms than males. Subjects with body mass index (BMI) < 18.5 kg/m² were more likely to develop musculoskeletal symptoms than subjects with BMI > 18.5 kg/mm². Musculoskeletal symptoms may be reduced by implementing ergonomic interventions like, reduction of load carriage, improved work organization with job rotations and sufficient rest during work to the tea pluckers.