Socio-Demography, Working Conditions, and Musculoskeletal Ailments among Pineapple Farmers in Northeast India

ABSTRACT

This study was conducted to examine the socio-demography, working conditions, and consequential musculoskeletal ailments of pineapple farmers in northeast India. A total of 152 pineapple farmers (92 males and 60 females) participated in the study. Data were collected using a pre-tested structured schedule and a standard Nordic questionnaire through personal interviews followed by direct observation. Chi-square (χ²) analysis and multiple logistic regression were conducted using SPSS software 16.0 to explore the association of various independent factors and their influences on the musculoskeletal symptoms (MSS) scores. The study revealed that a majority (>85%) of the pineapple farmers in northeast India had low to medium annual income, with more than 95% of the farmers belonging to small and marginal categories. Moreover, MSS were highly prevalent among the farmers (79.61%), and the low-back (76.32%) was the most affected body part. The results of the Chi-square (χ²) analysis highlighted that age, education level, and farming experience were significantly associated (p < 0.05) with the prevalence of overall MSS among the pineapple farmers. Among the factors, only age and gender significantly influenced the risk of complaints for the farmers’ neck (OR = 6.62, 95% CI: 1.29–34.02, p ≤ 0.05) and low back (OR = 2.54, 95% CI: 1.00–6.47, p ≤ 0.05). This study’s findings demonstrated the need for the urgent exploration of sustainable and innovative interventions to reduce the occurrence of MSS and improve the working conditions of the pineapple farmers in northeast India.

KEYWORDS:

• Horticulture
• fruits
• hill slope
• small farmers
• musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs)

Acknowledgments

The authors would like to thank ICAR-Research Complex for NEH Region, Meghalaya (India) and Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Guwahati, Assam (India) for providing necessary support and facilities for this study. Special appreciation and thanks to Er. H. D. Singh (Scientist, FMP) and Mr. Arun Kumar (SMS, KVK-Tura) of ICAR-Research Complex for NEH Region, Umiam, Meghalaya; and Er. Benjamin Kaman (Technical Officer, KVK-Dudhnoi) of ICAR-NRC Pig, Assam. The authors would also like to thank all the respondents for their kind support and co-operation during the field study.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).