Assessment of Work Related Musculoskeletal Disorders among House Maids of Kolkata, India

• DOI: 10.5530/ijcep.2020.7.2.20
• Publication Date: 2020-07-08T13:07:20Z
• Authors: Piyali Mukherjee; Anindita Singha Roy; Amit Bandyopadhyay; Somnath Gangopadhyay
• Keywords: 05 social sciences; 8. Economic growth; 0501 psychology and cognitive sciences

Background and Aim: Work related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSDs) are common problems among the workers engaged in unorganised sector. Working as a house maid is a very old profession. The objective of the present study was to evaluate the prevalence of WMSDs in house maids of Kolkata. Methods: Ninety-four house maids (age range of 20–60 years) engaged in different household works for minimum 3 years of duration were recruited in this study by random sampling method from different parts of Kolkata, India. They were divided into four groups based on their age and years of working. Physical parameters, assessment of musculoskeletal disorders and analysis of posture were done by using standard methods and procedures. Results: The study revealed different grades of pain in different parts of the body, maximum being the prevalence of low back pain. The intensity and localisation of pain varied in different age groups showing significant relationship with working experiences and daily working hours. Body part wise pain varied during work, rest and sleep times. Conclusion: WMSDs and pain experienced by the house maids were due to their constrained and awkward working postures for longer duration which need to be corrected with immediate interventions.