The burden of work related musculoskeletal disorders among female beedi workers: a public health perspective.

Authors

Supriya Amanna, Yashodhar P Bhandary, Ranajit Das, Rekha P Shenoy, Apoorva Kotian

Published in

Frontiers in public health. Volume 14. Pages 1879036. Epub Jul 30, 2026.

Abstract

The beedi industry remains an important source of livelihood for millions of people in India, particularly women from economically disadvantaged backgrounds. Beedi rolling is a labor-intensive, home-based occupation that involves manually rolling tobacco flakes in tendu leaves. Although it offers flexibility and allows women to manage household responsibilities, the nature of the work exposes them to several occupational health risks. Among these, musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) are one of the most common and persistent concerns, largely due to prolonged sitting, repetitive hand movements, and poorly designed work environments. This narrative review synthesizes existing evidence on musculoskeletal disorders among female beedi rollers in India. A literature search was conducted using PubMed, Scopus, and Google Scholar to identify relevant peer-reviewed studies. Studies focusing on female beedi workers and reporting musculoskeletal problems or related occupational risk factors were included. Data on study characteristics, participant profiles, prevalence of pain in different body regions, and ergonomic risk factors were extracted and analyzed. The findings indicate a consistently high burden of musculoskeletal problems, particularly affecting the lower back, neck, shoulders, wrists, and fingers. These conditions are closely associated with long working hours, sustained forward-bent postures, and repetitive movements over extended periods. The informal nature of this work further limits access to occupational health services and awareness of preventive measures. Addressing these issues requires simple ergonomic interventions, health education, and stronger policy support for informal sector workers.

PMID:
42597298
Bibliographic data and abstract were imported from PubMed on 14 Aug 2026.

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