Ecology, Environment and Conservation Paper

Vol 29, Issue 1, 2023; Page No.(111-114)

HEALTH IMPACT ANALYSIS OF PHYSICAL WORKLOAD ON RURALWOMEN RESIDING IN HILLY TERRAIN OF UTTARAKHAND

Anjali Juyal, Rekha Vyas, Hemu Rathore and Yeshwant Menaria

Abstract

Rural women in India have always been viewed as a gender which is best suitable forhousehold work and not as a conventional monetary contributor. In general, life is difficult forrural women but it’s even harder to live in mountains where basic requisite for living conditionssuch as potable water, fuel wood, cattle fodder, and hospital etc., never comes easy and leadsto manual material handling of the tasks such as awkward or restrained heavy lifting, carrying,pushing, or tugging. It is amajor health concerns among rural women causing long-term suffering, disability, reduced productivity, and increased medical expensesamong rural women due to the well-established risk factor of excessive physical labor. Presentstudy investigates the probable catalysts pertaining to the physical health of rural women nativeto the mountainous region. 150 women from Amsore village of Uttarakhand were enrolled for this study. All the participants were evaluated using a semi-structured questionnaire for demographic profile and Borg scale of perceived exertion for activities impact assessment. Fetching water (100%), fodder collection (71.33%) and firewood collection (80%) werereported as the most exertion inducing tasks causing physical stress to the women. Low income, unemployment, and poverty, as well as inadequate education, poor sanitation, hazardous working environments, and a lack of access to health care, have been identified as major contributors to health disparities. In order to increase socio-economic contribution and lower the frequency of health injuries among women, these findings urge for preventive effortsand safety guidelines.