O-308 Comparative assessment of musculoskeletal pain among artisans of three handicraft sectors of India because of commercialization – a study on unorganized sector. (14th March 2023)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Pandit, Sangeeta; Kamble, Rajat; Sahu, Avinash
• Is Part Of: Occupational and environmental medicine. Volume 80(2023)Supplement 1
• Page Start: A72
• Page End: A72
• Publication Date: 2023-03-14
• Subjects: Medicine, Industrial -- Periodicals; Environmental health -- Periodicals; 616.980305
• DOI: 10.1136/OEM-2023-EPICOH.178
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1351-0711

Abstract

Abstract : Introduction: Demand of Indian handicraft products is increasing consistently over the last couple of years globally due to its uniqueness and beauty. Handicraft sector is the second largest employment generator after agriculture in India. The sector functions on a self-sustaining business model. According to official record, India is home to 7 million artisans. With the advent of online portals and government initiatives there is a bolstering market growth of handicraft sector which lead to rapid change in the work culture from domestic to commercialization. Work practice has changed but the workplace and workstations remain the same. Long duration of work, in traditional work environment led to the development of musculoskeletal problems among the artisans. The present study was conducted on three handicraft sector of India, hand-block textile printing, Bell metal handicraft and marble carving sector to find out the effect of commercialization on occupational health of the artisans. Method: 10 artisans each from three sectors: Bagh print, Dhokra handicraft and Bedaghat soft marble carving were selected for the study. A modified Boston hand evaluation questionnaire was used to measure the hand symptoms for occupational musculoskeletal risks. Direct observation was further used to understand the risk involved in the task. Result: Artisans working in Bagh print reported significantly higher percentages of symptoms of Lost sensitivity and tingling, whereas artisans working in Dhokra handicraft had higher reports of weakness than the other two occupations. Pain during working hours were seen among all the three occupational groups, with the highest reports among marble carving artisans. Conclusion: High symptoms of hand pain were seen in all the three sectors involving repetitive intricate tasks. The symptoms of lost sensitivity were seen to be associated with high force exertion which was seen among the artisans of Bagh print and marble carving.