An investigation on prevalence of Anemia in relation to BMI and nutrient intake among adult rural population of West Bengal, India

Background: Anemia is now globally recognized major public health problem. The present study was undertaken to investigate the prevalence of anemia and interrelationship of anemia with BMI among adult rural population of West Bengal state, India. Method: Anthropometric measures, nutritional parameters, heart rate and hemoglobin were measured from 310 adult subjects by using standard technique. Results: The prevalence of anemia was high among both sexes and more than the global prevalence. The anemic individuals consumed nutritionally deficient diet than the non-anemic individuals. The prevalence of anemia was significantly high in underweight and normal groups. The Odds ratios became significantly higher in underweight group than normal and overweight/obese groups of both sexes. Conclusions: The prevalence of anemia in the adult rural population might be related to dietary deficiency and poor dietary patterns. The present study was hypothesized that the subjects with low BMI would have a higher risk of anemia compared to normal or overweight subjects

Evaluation of Cardiopulmonary Stress of the China Clay Mine Workers

Background: Several risk factors are associated with cardiopulmonary stress of industrial workers. Most important factors are job strain, job demand, physical effort, work station environment etc. In India, study on occupational cardiopulmonary stress among china clay miners is scanty. Objectives: The present study was aimed to evaluate the cardiopulmonary stresses of the china clay mine workers. Methods: The investigation was carried out on male workers from different china clay mines in the Birbhum district, West Bengal. The cardiovascular stress was evaluated by noting pulse rate of the subjects both during rest and during performance of different types of mine tasks. The cardiovascular stress index (CSI) was evaluated in different mine task. The work rest cycle of different china clay mine tasks was analyzed by video-photographic method. Different pulmonary function parameters, viz, FVC, FEV1, FER and PEF were measured by a digital spirometer to assess the severity of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD). Results: The results showed that the working pulse rate and CSI vary with different mine task. It was highest in subjects carrying china clay by head mode. The magnitude of CSI was found to vary with the change of work time and the rest time among the workers. Pulmonary function parameters of china clay mine workers were significantly lower (P<0.01) than other industrial workers. About 79% of total population was suffering from different grades of COPD. Among them, 12% were suffering from severe COPD and 60% from moderate COPD. The higher prevalence of COPD among china clay mine workers might be due to exposure of china clay dust in the work place. Conclusion: It was concluded that the china clay mine workers were suffering from high degree of physiological stress while performing different mine tasks.DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/ijosh.v2i2.6594 International Journal of Occupational Safety and Health, Vol 2. No 2 (2012) 27-3

Estimation of stature from hand dimensions in Bengalee population, West Bengal, India

Stature estimation from decomposing bodies and incomplete skeletons particularly in personal identification is considered as one of the biggest aspects of forensic science. This issue has gained importance in recent times due to mass disasters like terrorist attacks, mass murders, transport accidents, floods and earthquakes. Thus, the present study was undertaken to set up a standard formulae to estimate stature from hand dimensions in the Bengalee population. Measurements of different hand dimensions and statures were taken from 1662 adult Bengalee women aged from 20 to 40 years following the standard technique and appropriate landmarks. There was no statistically significant bilateral variation of the measurements. The correlation coefficients between stature and all variables were positive and statistically significant (p < 0.001). The hand length and palm length showed a better correlation with stature than the other variables. Simple linear regression equations and multiple linear regression equation were formulated for stature estimation using the hand dimensions. The derived equations were applied to the control group and it was noted that the percentage difference between true stature of the control and the estimated stature ranged from 0.01% to 0.15%. The multiple linear regression equation was more reliable than the simple linear regression equations as a lower standard error of estimate and higher value of determination coefficient and multiple correlation coefficient. From the results of the present study, it may be concluded that hand dimensions can be successfully used for estimating stature of adult Bengalee women in forensic practice by enforcement agencies and forensic scientists

Ergonomic Evaluation of Work Related Musculoskeletal Disorders and Postural Stress among Male Potato Cultivators of West Bengal, India

Background: Apart from cereal production (rice, wheat, etc.) agricultural labourers are engaged in vegetable cultivation in West Bengal, India. Potato cultivation is one of the important vegetable cultivation in India. The potato cultivation tasks are repetitive in nature and those are carried out mainly by manual efforts. Most of the tasks of potato cultivation are monotonous, strenuous, physiologically demanding as well as time-consuming.Objective: The present study was aimed to evaluate musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) and postural stress among male workers engaged in different potato cultivation jobs. Methods: The study was conducted on 163 male potato cultivators in different districts of West Bengal state. A modified Nordic Questionnaire and Body Part Discomfort scale were applied to identify MSDs in different body parts. The postural pattern was assessed by direct observation method. The postural stress was analyzed by OWAS, REBA and QEC methods. Result: The results show that the prevalence of MSDs was very high among the workers and the most affected areas were back and upper extremity. Postural analysis indicated that the subjects had to adopt different stressful postures during performing different potato cultivation jobs. During potato harvesting operation the workers were subjected to greater postural stress than that of other tasks.Conclusion: Postural stress might be the reason of the occurrence of MSDs. From this study it has been recommended that workers should avoid bad work postures as far as possible during work for reducing job related health hazards.International Journal of Occupational Safety and Health, Vol 4 No 2 (2014) 05 – 1

Identification of a suitable working posture for female workers engaged in golden thread work

Background: The golden thread (jori) work is one of the major home based industries providing employment to thousands of artisans spread over several rural areas of the West Bengal. The study is essentially labor intensive and thus workers are prone to suffer from work related health problems. Objective: The present study was aimed to evaluate the musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) and postural stress of the female golden thread workers. Methods: The study was carried on 123 adult female golden thread workers in different districts of West Bengal. The prevalence of MSD, body part discomfort rating (BPD) and postural stress (by OWAS, RULA, REBA method) of the workers were evaluated by standard methods. The EMG of shoulder and back muscle was recorded with the help of the BIOPAC system. Result: The results showed that the prevalence of MSDs, BPD rating and postural stress were comparatively lower in case of sitting on the floor with folded legs than squatting and sitting on the floor with stretched legs. The EMG and RMS values of EMG voltage of shoulder and back muscle were comparatively lower in this posture than that of other two postures. Conclusion: It was therefore, concluded that sitting on the floor with folded legs was less hazardous and it imposed less postural stress in comparison to other sitting postures adopted by the golden thread workers.International Journal of Occupational Safety and Health, Vol 4 No 2 (2014) 24 – 3