Prevalence and Risk Factors of Musculoskeletal Disorders among Housewives: A Survey Study

Abstract

Introduction: In Indian society, housewives serve as the foundational pillars around which familial structures revolve. Women perform wide variety of activities daily in the kitchen, due to continuous work performance housewives suffer various kind of physical disorders like musculoskeletal disorders, pain in joints, back, shoulders, arms, and hands due to prolong standing posture. Persistence of Musculoskeletal pain results in decreased productivity which at the end leads to poor quality of life. Aim of the study: The survey aims to evaluate prevalence and risk factors of musculoskeletal disorders among housewives. Methodology: A survey study was conducted among 100 housewives. Data was collected through a self-administered questionnaire and Nordic Musculoskeletal Questionnaire to determine the prevalence and risk factors of musculoskeletal disorders. Convenience sampling was used for the study. Results: The findings revealed that the prevalence of MSDs among housewives was 79%. Maximum prevalence (46.8%) was found in the age group 30-40 years. The most common site of musculoskeletal disorder among housewives was multiple regions (46.8%), followed by lower back (21.5%). Other regions such as the neck, knees, shoulders, and elbows also showed varying levels of prevalence. Conclusion: In conclusion, the study showed a higher prevalence of musculoskeletal disorders among housewives. The findings underscore the multifaceted nature of this health concern, influenced by various risk factors including age, BMI distribution, number of dependents, duration of household activities, and types of tasks performed. Keywords: Musculoskeletal Disorders, Housewives, Risk factors