PREVALENCE OF WORK RELATED MUSCULOSKELETAL

DISORDERS AND ASSESSMENT OF QUALITY OF LIFE AMONGST

INCENSE STICK WORKERS.

SUBMITTED BY
UNIVERSITY SEAT NO:

66862

FINAL YEAR B.P.Th

(2021-2022)
 CERTIFICATE
I, University Seat No:66862, a Final Year B.P.Th student , is submitting the project on “
Prevalence of Work Related Musculoskeletal Disorders and assessment Quality of Life
amongst Incense Stick Workers” to the Maharashtra University of Health Sciences , Nashik as
a part of 4th year curriculum.

GUIDE : HEAD OF DEPARTMENT:

INTERNAL EXAMINER: EXTERNAL EXAMINER:

 ACKNOWLEDGMENT
I would like to express my gratitude towards my guide, for her constant support and guidance
throughout my research work. I am thankful to Ma’am for her time dedicated towards the
research and to solve all the queries during the course.

Next I would like to thank all my teachers for their support and co-operation. I would like to
thank my parents for constant motivation. Lastly I would like to thank my batch mates for their
support.

Place :Mumbai

Date:
 INDEX

SR NO. CONTENT PAGE NO.

1 Certificate 2
2 Acknowledgement 3
3 Title of Study 5
4 Introduction 6
5 Need of Study 7
6 Review of Literature 8
7 Research Question 9
8 Aim 10
9 Objectives 11
10 Study Description 12
11 Inclusion Criteria 13
12 Exclusion Criteria 14
13 Materials Used 15
14 Methodology 16
15 Tools of Outcome Measure 17
16 Statistical Tests 19
17 Subject Information Sheet 20
18 Informed Consent Form 21
19 Subject Evaluation Form 22
20 References 23
 TITLE OF STUDY
Prevalence of Work –Related Musculoskeletal Disorders and assessment of Quality of life
amongst Incense stick workers.
 INTRODUCTION
India is a country of traditions and culture. In Hinduism ,incense stick is an integral part of most
rituals since ancient times..[1]

It is a part and parcel of offering prayers in temples and other places of worship.

Incense stick is made out of bamboo. It can be handmade or machine made.[2]

An incense stick worker is someone who makes handmade incense sticks.

Musculoskeletal disorders are characterized by presence of discomfort ,disability, persistent pain

in joints, muscles, tendons or any other soft tissue caused and aggravated by repeated movements
and prolonged awkward posture [3].

The Incense stick workers sit on the floor and roll incense sticks hunched over low tables.

This task is extremely strenuous and repetitive.

In this population, the common risk factors include repetitive movements, rapid work pace and
maintenance of awkward / static posture for prolonged period of time.

A study conducted under the National Comprehensive Occupational Rehabilitation Program

(2002) regarding “Work environment of the incense industries” shows that ,most common
symptom reported by workers is pain in arms, legs and joints(43%); backpain (24%); troubled
sleeping (16%) ;headache(11%) and feeling tired or low energy (10.9%).[4]
 NEED OF STUDY

SOCIAL RELEVANCE
India is one of the largest producer and exporter of Incense sticks. [5]

Indian Incense stick market contributes a major share in economy of the country

In last few years , world has shown interest in major Indian incense sticks which has provided
source of livelihood for millions of people.[6]

Despite being one of the growing industries in India , there is paucity of information on
proportion of incense stick workers having musculoskeletal pain.

This study will help in creating awareness amongst the Incense stick workers regarding their own
body and working habits.

This study will help to make the community aware of the importance of physiotherapy.

The findings from this study will help to identify the Musculoskeletal pain amongst the workers
and contribute to development of exercise programs for them.

The study will create awareness amongst general population regarding the Incense stick workers.

The study will help in developing prevention and intervention strategies tailor made for them
and also in creating job modifications.

All this will their improve the working condition which will eventually have a positive effect on
productivity.

This study can be taken as a reference for future studied about musculoskeletal pain amongst
Incense stick workers.
 REVIEW OF LITERATURE
1)P.M.Arulmozhi Baskaran work in Bangalore.[4]

STUDY : Prevalence of Health Problems and to Assess the Knowledge Regarding Prevention on
Health Problems among Incense Stick Workers in Selected Industries at Bangalore

RESULT: It concluded that there is Prevalence of Health Problems among Incense stick workers.

Back Pain (93%) ; Respiratory Problems (80%) ; Urinary Problems (75%) ; Skin Problems
(62%) and Abdominal Problems(52%).

The Analysis of knowledge of subjects revealed that most of the workers had inadequate (98%)
and only (2%) had moderately adequate knowledge regarding the condition

2) 2. Dr. Ramachandrappa S,Dr Vinod Kumar GC and Ravi Kumar P conduced a study in
Bangalore[7]

STUDY: Status of Women Health implication : A case study of Home Based Agarbatti Making
Industries

RESULT: The study concluded that the percentage of diseases is as follows Headache(95%) ;
Eye irritation (88%); Breathing difficulty (85%); Fatigue (79%) ; Cold and cough (78%); Skin
allergy (62%) ; Backache (60%) ; Fever (52%) ; Diarrhea (40%) and Dysentery (36%).
 RESEARCH QUESTION

What is the prevalence of Work-Related Musculoskeletal Disorders and Quality Of Life amongst
Incense stick workers?
 AIM
● To study the prevalence of Work-Related Musculoskeletal Disorders and assessment of
Quality Of Life amongst Incense Stick Workers.
 OBJECTIVES

● To find the prevalence of Work Related Musculoskeletal Disorders among Incense stick
workers by using Standard Nordic Questionnaire.
● To find which area of the body is more affected.
● To find the affection of Quality Of Life using WHO-QOL BREF Questionnaire.
 STUDY DESCRIPTION

● TYPE: Observational Study

● DURATION: 6 Month
● LOCATION: Factories of Satya Agarbattis in Chandivali and Bhiwandi

● SAMPLING METHOD :
● Permission will be taken from the company head of Satya Agarbattis.
● Based on Inclusion and Exclusion Criteria.
● Convenience Sampling.

● SAMPLE SIZE(n):
Yet to be calculated by doing Pilot Study on 20 incense stick workers.

n ≥ Z2pqN

e2(N-1)+Z2+q

where,

Z=1.96

p=Proportion of Musculoskeletal Disorders in Incense Stick Workers

q=100- p

N= Total number of Workers

e=10% of p
 INCLUSION CRITERIA

● Male and Female Incense stick workers.

● Age 25-50 years.
● Work experience:1 year and above.
● Working for atleast 7-8hrs per day.
● Who are willing to participate.
● Workers who can understand Hindi/English/Marathi.
 EXCLUSION CRITERIA

● Workers not willing to participate.

● Anyone with trauma.
● Anyone with spinal injuries or surgeries or neurological involvement.
● Anyone with fractures.
 MATERIALS USED:

1) Pen and Book.

2) Subject Evaluation Form.
3) Informed Consent Form.
4) Standard Nordic Questionnaire.
5) World Health Organization ‘s Quality Of Life BREF Questionnaire.
 METHODOLOGY

PERMISSION:
It will be taken from the Departmental review board and the Institutional Ethics Committee.

Also permission will be taken from the Manager of the Company to conduct the study

After permission is granted, the study will be carried out amongst Incense stick workers.

PROCEDURE:
● Need of study and importance is explained to the subjects.
● Written consent will be taken from each participant in their preferred language.
● Sampling selection: a study population of incense stick workers will be taken based on
inclusion and exclusion criteria.
● Subject evaluation form will be used to obtain baseline information about the age,
weight, working hours, medical history , etc.
● Standard Nordic Questionnaire in the subjects preferred language will be used to gather
information regarding musculoskeletal disorders..
● WHO Quality Of Life Questionnaire in patie.nts preferred language is used to gather
information regarding the quality of life.
● Data collected will be processed with the help of statistical tools.
● Results and conclusion will be formed.
 TOOLS OF OUTCOME MEASURE

STANDARD NORDIC QUESTIONNAIRE

• It is a simple and general questionnaire which is available freely and recognized
worldwide[8]

• Used for assessment of occupation related musculoskeletal problems.

• Includes 27 choice items identifying the areas of the body causing musculoskeletal
problems and a map indicating 9 symptom sites

• Respondents are asked if they have any musculoskeletal problem in last 12 months and
last 7 days which have prevented normal activities. [9]
 https://www.researchgate.net/figure/Modified-Nordic-Questionnaire6_fig1_334231792

World Health Organization’s Quality Of Life BREF Questionnaire

• WHOQOL BREF is the shorter version of WHOQOL 100 [10]

• The questions stem from multiple statements about quality of life, health, well being from
people with and without diseases.

• It is a self administered questionnaire comprising of 26 questions on the individuals

perception of their quality of life and wellbeing over the previous two weeks.

• Responses on questions are on a 1-5 Likert scale

• It covers four main domains each with specific facets they are- Physical , Psychological,
Social relationships and Environment.[11]
• Available in 19 languages
• Less time consuming.
 STATISTICAL TESTS:
The data will be entered using Microsoft Excel and analyzed using SPSS Statistical Software.

Percentage will be used to determine outcome .

Normality of data will be assessed.

Student t-test
 SUBJECT INFORMATION SHEET

A study is being conducted by the undersigned in the Department of Physiotherapy, on

“Prevalence of Work-Related Musculoskeletal Disorders and assessment of Quality of
Life amongst Incense Stick Workers.” I invite you to participate in the above study.
Baseline history taking will be done. Subject selection will be done considering the
inclusion and exclusion criteria. On consent, the procedure of the test and the need to
conduct such a study will be explained to you. You will be asked to fill the scales named
Standard Nordics Questionnaire, and World Health Organization – Quality of Life BREF
depending on the language you prefer. The data collected will be stored and used for the
research analysis. No monetary gains or financial assistance will be provided to the
subject. The study is sanctioned by the Institutional Ethics Committee. The data collected
in the study will be used for research purpose only and will be kept strictly confidential.
Your participation in the study is completely voluntary and you can refuse to participate
at any point of the study. We are thankful for your cooperation.

University Seat No.: 66862

Final Year B.P.Th.
 INFORMED CONSENT

I,__________ confirm that I have read and understood the subject information sheet
which is about my participation in the study “Prevalence of Musculoskeletal Pain in
Incense stick workers” I hereby get to ask my questions and get all the answers to my
questions .I understand my participation is purely voluntary and that I am free to change
my mind anytime without any reason or legal rights affected. This is a prevalence study
and no harm or adverse effects are expected .I understand that confidentiality shall be
maintained, I give permission to my doctor to assess my medical records whenever
required. I voluntarily agree to be a part of this study.

Name of subject
Signature of subject:
Date:
 SUBJECT EVALUATION FORM

o Name:
o Age:
o Gender:
o Chief complaint (if any):
o Working hours:
o Any previous history of injury:
o Medical history:
o Surgical history:
o Work Experience:
o Working Position:
o Working Hours:
o No of breaks taken:
o Mode of transport:
 REFERENCES:

1 Thomas Kinkele,Incense and Incense Rituals,Lotus Press p 107,Shangrila-2004.

2 Handbook on Herbal Products,National Institute of Industrial Research, p174. Niir Board2000.

3 Musculoskeletal pain musculoskeletal disorders MSDS [Internet]. iPain Foundation. 2020

[cited 2022Jul28].

4. P M Arulmozhi Baskaran,Journal of Advances in Medicine3(1),1-8,Bangalore-2014.

5. Virendra Yadav, PankajKumar ,Haresh Kalasariya, Nisha Choudhary ,Bijendra

Singh,G,Gnanamoorthy,Nitin Gupta,Samreen Heena Khan,Indian Journal of Pure and Applied
Sciences,8(3),Rajasthan-2020.

6 H.G.Hanumappa ,INBAR Workin Paper no. 9 ,Institute of Social and Economic Change,
Bangalore,India 19962.

7.Dr. Ramachandrappa S,Dr Vinod Kumar GC and Ravi Kumar P ,International Journal of
Advanced Research in Management and Social Sciences,Vol.4,Bangalore 2015.

8 Laura lopez Aragon,Remedios Lopez Liria,Angel Jesus Callejon Ferre,Martaz Gomez

Galan,Sustainability and Occupational Health and Safety,1514,Spain 2017.

9 Ali Gholami,Leila Mosaavi Jahromi and Azizallah Dehghan ,International Journal of

Preventive Medicine,4(7),Iran-2013.

10 Skevington S, Lotfy M, Connell K.The World Health Organization’s WHO-QOL BREF

assessment .A report from WHOQOL Group,Qual Life Res.2004.

11 World Health Organization. WHOQOL-BREF: introduction, administration, scoring and

generic version of the assessment: field trial version, December 1996. World Health
Organization; 1996..