An Anthropological study on Ergonomics and Cardiorespiratory Health profile of Female Carpet Workers of India

An Anthropological study on Ergonomics and Cardiorespiratory Health profile of Female Carpet Workers of India

                                                                                                                                 * Ajeet Jaiswal

*Dr. Ajeet Jaiswal, Assistant Professor, Department of Anthropology, Pondicherry University, Puducherry, India.  Email: rpgajeet@gmail.com, Phone no. : 09791201427, 08122594335.

Abstract:

The observational crosssectional study conducted on a sample of 100 women working in carpet industry of Uttar Pradesh, outlines their cardiorespiratory and musculoskeletal profile before, during and at end of work. Contrary to expectation, there was no significant change in respiratory function. However, the musculoskeletal problems were found to be abundantly present with pain in 91% of the subjects. Regionwise mapping of pain revealed that postural pain in low back was present. Scapular muscles on the right side were involved in stabilizing shoulder, which never went overhead. On the contrary, left shoulder was raised as high (>90 degrees) in spinning action, while pulling thread. This muscle work involved trapezius, deltoid and triceps action concentrically in lifting and while coming to starting position slowly, eccentrically. Though the overall job was light as per peak HR, there was pain due to fatigue and grip strength weakened by around 10%, at the end of the day's work. In conclusion, pain and fatigue were found to be the main problems for women in the spinning section of the small scale industry under this study. Women have to take up dual responsibility of a fulltime job as well as the domestic work. It was considered that ergonomic factors such as provision of a backrest and frequent rest periods could remediate the musculoskeletal symptoms.

Key words:   Women workers, Carpet industry, Cardiorespiratory, Musculoskeletal

Occupational Health and Safety in the Construction Industry in Developing Countries

Occupational Health and Safety in the Construction Industry in Developing Countries

* Ajeet Jaiswal, **Sapna Jaiswal

*Dr. Ajeet Jaiswal, Assistant Professor, Department of Anthropology, Pondicherry University, Puducherry, India.  Email: rpgajeet@gmail.com.

**Mrs Sapna Jaiswal, MBA, Indira Gandhi National Open University, New Delhi.

Abstract:

Health at work and healthy work environment are amongst the most valuable assets of individuals, communities and countries. The lackadaisical attitude of the Indian policy makers has made the situation even worse. The enforcement of legislative measures and their active implementation is also very poor. Construction is a dangerous industry, for two reasons: one is the intrinsically hazardous nature of the work; the other is the result of the industry’s structural and organizational challenges for risk management. These combined factors have created an industry culture in which poor health and safety outcomes have long been the accepted norm. Representation and consultation are elements of health and safety management theory but are not necessarily applied effectively in practice. To appreciate why, it is important to understand the meaning of these terms and what constitutes good practice in this regard. This article report is primarily a review of research literature across a range of countries, but mostly restricted to english publications. The initial findings demonstrated that research literature on the construction industry is very limited. There is, however, wider research literature, including well-constructed studies, that examine these issues in other economic sectors and this report has considered both the limited and broader material. Research evidence demonstrates that worker representation and consultation effectively improve health and safety outcomes in relation to management practices and safety culture, as well as safety performance in terms of injury rates.

Key words: Occupational Health, Construction Industry, Developing Countries, Safety

Industrial Health and Occupational Safety

Industrial Health and Occupational Safety  

Abstract

The study of Industrial health and Occupational safety in fabric industry examines to promote health and safety to the workers in India. The Hazards and risk involved in the fabric or textile industry is high compared with other industries and least importance is given to fabric industries. Most of accident does not come to the legal formalities. The People are not aware of health and safety is due to the workers are uneducated and management not given importance due to promote Industrial health and Occupational safety in fabric industry becomes a barriers in implementing Industrial health and Occupational safety. The major hazards happen are physical, chemical, ergonomically and physiologically hazards along with these some of things which can create hazards are more working hours, improper ventilation. The Risk priority number has been find out for all the hazards in the fabric industry and fault tree analysis is done for the hazard with highest Risk priority number (RPN).

Keywords: Industrial health, Occupational safety, Hazards, Fabric or Textile industry, Risk priority number.

Health

  Health

The Constitution of WHO (1946) states that good health is a state of complete physical, social and mental well-being, and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity. Health is a resource for everyday life, not the object of living, and is a positive concept emphasizing social and personal resources as well as physical capabilities. Health is a fundamental human right, recognized in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (1948). It is also an essential component of development, vital to a nation's economic growth and internal stability. Along with the traditional and unequivocal arguments on social justice and the importance of health, it is now accepted that better health outcomes play a crucial role in reducing poverty. There is also increased understanding of how health fits into a wider cross-sectoral, cross-border and globalized framework. Four key values guide efforts to address health issues:

• Recognition of the universal right to health
• Continued application of health ethics to policy, research and service provision
• Implementation of equity orientated policies and strategies that emphasize solidarity
• Incorporation of a gender perspective into health policies.

Health ethics involves a process of systematic and continuous reflection on the norms and values which should guide decisions about health care at the personal, institutional, or societal level, and by which the outcomes of such decisions may be judged.

Study the Relation between Fatigue, Sleepiness and Accidents among the workers of Indian Weaving Industries

Study the Relation between Fatigue, Sleepiness and Accidents among the workers of Indian Weaving Industries

Ajeet Jaiswal 1

1 Assistant Professor, Department of Anthropology, Pondicherry University, Puducherry, India


Abstract


It has been found that shift work can disrupt human circadian rhythms which are normally acclimated to daytime wakefulness and nighttime rest. At physiological level, medical investigations have demonstrated that circadian de-synchronization can lead to changes in hormonal levels, increase risk of cardiovascular disease, produce sleep-cycle disturbances and result in significant fatigue. Shift work is growing in modern society as an important tool for flexibility of work organization. The aim of this study was to examine the rate of exhaustion and sleepiness around the shift and non-shift workers and its relation to occupational accidents.
This was a cross-sectional study on the workers of Indian weaving textile industrial Group. Study included 150 shift workers as the case and 141 non-shift workers as the control. A multi-part questionnaire including demographic characteristics, Piper Fatigue Scale (PFS) and Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS) were applied. The X2 test and t-test were used to measure differences between variables. The mean of PFS scores in the two groups was significantly different (p=0.045), but the difference in the mean of ESS scores was not significant. Shift workers with the reported accident had a higher score on fatigue than shift workers with no accident (p<0.001) whereas the difference in the number of accidents in the two groups was not related significantly to the rate of sleepiness. The rate of fatigue or exhaustion and the number of the work accidents was more in the shift workers. Also, fatigue or exhaustion had a stronger relationship with the occupational accidents as compared to sleepiness. It seems that evaluation of exhaustion as compared to sleepiness is a more accurate factor for preventing work accidents.

The Changing Occupational Structure and Economic Profile of Textile Industry of Banaras, Uttar Pradesh

The Changing Occupational Structure and Economic Profile of Textile Industry of Banaras, Uttar Pradesh

Ajeet Jaiswal

Department of Anthropology, Pondicherry University, Puducherry, India
Mobile: 09791201427, 08122594335; E-mail: rpgajeet@gmail.com

KEYWORDS Ordinary Weaver. Master Weaver. Kothidar/Gaddidar. Powerloom

ABSTRACT

In recent years, debates on modern economic development have become a central issue, not only in politics but also in the academic field. Bookstores all over the globe count numerous works on this theme, new ones appearing regularly, and newspapers are filled with articles and discussions on the subject. Within academia, not only economists but also historians have become increasingly involved in debates on the origination of the divide between richer and poorer countries. One of the central questions is what lies at the basis of a country’s economic success. A ‘modern’ structure of the labour market, with a relatively low share of the population in the primary sector, a high degree of specialization and high levels of wage labour, is
often considered to be one of the driving forces behind economic achievement. This paper attempts to investigate the changing occupational structure and economic profile of the Textile Industry of Banaras, Uttar Pradesh. A total number of 300 adult workers working in different sectors in seventeen different factories and 300 Non Textile Workers were interviewed. The analysis of the present study suggests that the, the industry started with the independent weaver as the nodal point, gradually changed into family based corporate business enterprise, and also the rise of intermediaries (Ordinary Weaver, Master Weaver
and Kothidar/Gaddidar) within the occupation are the most important phenomena, thus reflecting the changing occupational structure and economic profile of Textile workers of Uttar Pradesh.

Health and Nutritional Status of a Primitive Tribe of Madhya Pradesh: Bhumia

Health and Nutritional Status of a Primitive Tribe of Madhya Pradesh: Bhumia
By Ajeet Jaiswal
Pondicherry University, India

Abstract-

Health and nutritional status of an individual depends on the food he eats. Man needs a wide
range of nutrients to lead a healthy and active life and these are derived through the diet they consume
daily. Good nutrition is a basic component of health. This paper deals with the utility of various
anthropometric cut-off points in the evaluation of nutritional & Health status.

Total 616 subjects studied from 201 household of the five villages of Baigachak area.
Anthropometric measurements taken were height and weight. Dietary data was collected using 24hr recall
method. The extent of malnutrition for preschool children was assessed by SD classification and the
nutritional status of adults was assessed by BMI classification.


Keywords: bhumia tribe, nutritional status, nutrient intake.

Ethnographic Profile of the Textile Workers of Uttar Pradesh

Ethnographic Profile of the Textile Workers of Uttar Pradesh

Ajeet Jaiswal
Department of Anthropology, Pondicherry University, Puducherry 605014, India
Phone: 09791201427, 08122594335, E-mail: rpgajeet@gmail.com

KEYWORDS Religious Rites. Rituals. Workers. Hindu. Muslim

ABSTRACT

With the changing industrial landscape of the country, new working class areas have come into being and old
ones are expanding. In the new areas, adaptability to this culture depends on the extent and strength of the workers’ link with rural areas. The characteristics of the Textile Workers revolve around Social Composition, Sex Composition, Emergence of Tribal Labour, Low Level of Literacy, Heterogeneity of Working Class, High Rate of Absenteeism, Labour Turnover and Migratory Character. An anthropological attempt has been made in the present study to analyse the ethnographic profile of the textile workers of Uttar Pradesh. A total number of 463 adult workers working in different sectors in seventeen different factories were interviewed, The religious and ritualistic analysis of the observance of actions or procedures in a set and
ceremonial way of the Hindu and Muslim textile workers of Uttar Pradesh, reflects that the religious rites and rituals of Hindu workers were more complex than Muslim workers and they believe in the concept of

Effect of Domestic Cooking Fuel on the Health of Nonsmoking Women of Uttar Pradesh, India

Effect of Domestic Cooking Fuel on the Health of Nonsmoking Women of Uttar Pradesh, India

Ajeet Jaiswal
Assistant Professor, Department of Anthropology, Pondicherry University, Puducherry

ABSTRACT

Air pollution is a significant cause of morbidity and mortality. In developing countries, air pollution
tends to be highest indoors, where biomass fuels, such as wood, animal dung, crop residues, and
rasses, are burned by many households for cooking and space heating (Smith KR 1996). Here, we
analyse the effect of Domestic Cooking Fuel on the health of Non-Smoking women of Uttar Pradesh
and compare the pulmonary functions in healthy non- smoking women who used either biomass or
liquified petroleum gas (LPG) as their sole cooking fuel using data on 275 healthy non-smoking
women included 159 cooked solely with biomass and 116 cooked with LPG. A standardised
respiratory symptoms questionnaire was administered to all the subjects and spirometry was carried
out. The effects of passive smoking, ventilation, overcrowding and cooking index were also taken
into account.
Passive smoking showed no significant difference between the two groups. No statistically significant
differences was found in lung functions (FVC , FEV1, FER) in the two groups except for the PEFR,
which was significantly lower (P<0.01) in women using biomass. No correlation was observed between
different variables and pulmonary functions. The step-wise multivariate linear regression analysis
showed no correlation between cooking fuel and the pulmonary functions.
The absence of the expected adverse effects of biomass on pulmonary functions was possibly due to
better ventilation in the kitchens of subjects in the biomass group compared to previous studies. The
results strongly suggest that smoke exposure from the use of biomass fuels for cooking substantially
increases the risk of respiratory and lungs problems.

Keywords: Non- smoking Women, Health, Respiratory symptoms, Biomass, Liquefied petroleum gas 

Child Labor and Indian Carpet Industry

Child Labor and Indian Carpet Industry

Ajeet Jaiswal1, Sapna Jaiswal2

1 Assistant Professor, Department of Anthropology, Pondicherry University, Puducherry, India
2 MBA, Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU), New Delhi, India


Abstract

The use of child labor in the production of hand knotted carpets in India has been widely reported and documented. An important development which has a bearing on the incidence of child labor in the carpet industry in India is that in recent years there has been an overall decline in the production and exports of hand knotted carpets in India, particularly in core carpet belt. The principal aim of the present study is to understand the current situation of the child labor problem in India‟s carpet industry. A total of 60 loom enterprises with 137 active looms were selected from December, 2006 to February 2007, from the Badhohi, Mirzapur and Varanasi district of Uttar Pradesh. As the issue of child labor is one of a very sensitive nature, the researcher had to cope with several obstacles during the fieldwork in the areas covered by the study. Out of the total 528 weavers working on 60 loom enterprises studied there are 17 „definitely children‟ of whom 76.47% are boys and 23.53% are girls. The figures for „probably children‟ working on the looms are 46. The analysis of the workforce composition and working conditions of weavers found that children continue to be involved in significant numbers in the production of handmade carpets. Children account for 7.57% of the total workforce. Most of the children working on looms are boys (82%). Among the children working on the looms, the majority (58%) of them belong to the family labor category. The proportion of child labor to the total workforce is higher in the Persian variety of carpets than in the other varieties. Analysis of distribution of child labor in different sizes of enterprises shows that employment of child labor is greater in the larger enterprises. Findings of the present study clearly indicate that compared to the 1990s there has been a decline in the magnitude of child labor in the carpet industry; however, this decline is not to the extent of claims made by the government and

Assessment of Respiratory Disorders among workers in Cigarette Industry

Assessment of Respiratory Disorders among workers in Cigarette Industry

Ajeet Jaiswal

Dr. Ajeet Jaiswal, Assistant Professor, Department of Anthropology, Pondicherry University,

ABSTRACT

This study was undertaken to determine whether exposure of raw tobacco causes respiratory diseases, lung function impairment and parenchymal changes among workers in cigarette industry. Total subjects studied (n=125), out of which 67 were Non exposed workers or control subjects and 58 were workers exposed to dried tobacco leaves in Cigarette and Beedi Industry of Varanasi-Mirzapur belt, Uttar Pradesh, India. The study included completion of a questionnaire (on pulmonary and respiratory problems, spirometry and measurement of peak expiratory flow rate. At the same time, Paired t-test was done to determine the significant difference between cigarette workers and control subjects. Cigarette workers had significantly lower percentage of predicted values of FVC, FEV1 and FEV1% than control subjects (p <0.001). This study indicates that Cigarette workers may have respiratory and pulmonary disorders related to exposure to tobacco dust in their work environment.


Key words:

Respiratory impairments, Cigarette, Beedi Industry, Tobacco dusts, Lung function, Worker.

Anthropometric and Somatotyping Study among the Female Kho-Kho Players of Pondicherry: A Comparative Analysis

Anthropometric and Somatotyping Study among the Female Kho-Kho Players of Pondicherry: A Comparative Analysis

Ajeet Jaiswal*
Department of Anthropology, Pondicherry University, Puducherry, India

Abstract

Performance in different games is supposed to be related to better physical fitness. The purpose of this study
was to find out anthropometric measurements, body composition and somatotyping differences among female Kho- Kho players and controls. 99 young female subjects (Kho-Kho players: N=49 and controls: N=49) of age group 18-24 years were randomly selected from the participant of South zone interuniversity Kho-Kho tournament for women, 2011-12, organized by Physical education and sports department, Pondicherry University, India. All the participants were assessed for height, weight, breadths, girths and skinfold thickness. The independent samples t-test revealed that Kho-Kho players had significantly higher height (p<0.05), as compared to controls. The Kho-Kho players were also found to have significantly greater lean body mass (p<0.01) and ectomorph component (p<0.05) as compared to controls. Controls had significantly greater percent body fat and total body fat (p<0.05) as compared to Kho-Kho players. The Kho-Kho players of this study were found to have higher percentage body fat with lower body height
and body weight than their international counterparts. Further investigations are needed on above studied variables along with fitness and physiological variables to assess relationship among them and with performance in Kho-Kho. The findings of the present study might be useful in future investigation on player selection, talent identification in the game of Kho-Kho and its training programmed development.

Anthropological and Physiological Study of Carpet and Silk Industrial Workers of Utter Pradesh, India

Anthropological and Physiological Study of Carpet and Silk Industrial Workers of Utter Pradesh, India.

*Dr Ajeet Jaiswal,

* Ajeet Jaiswal, Assistant Professors, Department of Anthropology, Pondicherry University, Puducherry-605014.;

ABSTRACT

Occupational health in India is undoubtedly an issue that calls for more research by experts and activists. Respiratory problem is one of the major health threats to Carpet and Silk Industrial Workers , till now the studies are mostly clinically based. A lacuna in anthropological perspective is observed. In the present study an attempt has been made to study the anthropo-physiological among Carpet and Silk Industrial Workers of District Varanasi, Utter Pradesh. The study has been conducted to assess changes in lung functions and airway reactivity resulting from exposure to textile dust.
The subjects comprises of control group (non-workers) and test group (workers) of the same ecological condition (Industrial environment). Effect of dust was seen on anthropological and physiological variables Effect of dust was categorized based on the duration of exposure to dust, concentration of dust, socio economic factors and life styles. The 300 workers of three different sectors (cotton, wool/synthetic, silk) of the textile industry who worked in a textile unit containing 8 sub working sectors. The pattern of disease incidence in different production center of the textile industry is grossly dissimilar. As the result suggest that exposure to textile dust is responsible for acute and consistent decrease in lung function as well as a slight increase in airway reactivity.

An Anthropological Vision on the Impact of Globalization on Indian Rural Women: A Critical Reality

An Anthropological Vision on the Impact of Globalization on Indian Rural Women: A Critical Reality

Ajeet Jaiswal* Department of Anthroplogy, Pondicherry University, Puducherry, India


Abstract

The term globalization has been associated with key areas of change, which have led to a marked transformation of the world order. Globalization in India is generally taken to mean integrating the economy of the country with the world. This, in turn, implies opening up the economy to foreign direct investment by providing facilities to foreign companies to invest in different fields of economic activity in India. The main policy initiated towards globalization by the Government of India can be discussed under many headings. Globalization can be a major force for prosperity only if it is backed by adequate national policies and conducive social and economic environment. The present paper is totally based on secondary data. This paper will give an overview of what the forces of globalization have in store for the women of India. The various impacts of globalization on the society as well on women in India were also highlighted in the paper. The data thus collected shows the status of globalization in India, the significant role played by the new economic policy in promoting the Indian Economy, Does globalization cause poverty, Why are so many people opposed to globalization and Can globalization be controlled. A large group of working women of India is in the rural and unorganized sectors. Socially the majority of Indian women is still tradition bound and is in a disadvantageous position. Since globalization is opening up the Indian economy suddenly at a very high speed, without the required economic and social policies to provide the much required safety net, women who have been involved with production in the traditional ways, have to cope with numerous problems and yet try to avail of the opportunities which an open economy promises. With this background, this paper mainly focuses on the Anthropological vision and critical reality on the impact of globalization on Indian rural women from various angles.

A Study on the Intake and Expenditure of Calories among the Manufacturing Workers

A Study on the Intake and Expenditure of Calories among the Manufacturing Workers

Ajeet Jaiswal
Department of Anthropology, Pondicherry University, Puducherry
Corresponding author: Dr. Ajeet Jaiswal, Assistant Professor, Department of Anthropology, Pondicherry University, Puducherry, India. Email: rpgajeet@gmail.com,
Phone no. : 09791201427, 08122594335.

Abstract:

Nutrition and adequate diet plays an important role in the efficiency and welfare of the workers and non workers and in manufacturing work, the nutrient demand and energy expenditure are little high as compare to Non workers. Therefore, adequate nutrient and energy intake of manufacturing workers is of paramount importance. The interrelationship of physical activity, food intake and extremes of environmental temperature are important considerations influencing nutritional intake and physical performance in various activities of workers. Here, an attempt has been made to assess the Intake and Expenditure of Calories among the Manufacturing Worker of Uttar Pradesh.

The present study assessed the nutritional status of 152 workers working in different working level under Varanasi district. The dietary status was determined by the food and nutrient intake using diet history and the energy expenditure was computed by a factorial method using activity level and time records of 7 days. Another object was to develop survey methods for assessing the proportions of the calorie intake spent by industrial workers on various activities. The opportunity was taken during the survey of collecting certain Anthropological, medical and physiological data for industrial workers. The energy expenditure during work was estimated from the energy costs of individual tasks and the time spent in those tasks. The objects of the study, which was a new development in the survey field, were in general successfully achieved. The study showed that the necessary information could be collected by survey methods, but that there are difficulties in interpretation and that, in particular, further study of job assessment and more data on standards of calorie expenditure for various activities are required.

Key words: Nutrition, Food Consumption, Calorie Intake, Medical Examination, Job Assessment.

A Study on Nutritional Profile of Textile Workers and Non Textile Workers of Uttar Pradesh

A Study on Nutritional Profile of Textile Workers and Non Textile Workers of Uttar Pradesh


Ajeet Jaiswal Asst. Professor, Department of Anthropology, Pondicherry University, Puducherry-605 014

Abstract

Background

Man needs a wide range of nutrients to lead a healthy
and active life and these are derived through the diet
they consume daily. Good nutrition is a basic component
of health. The present paper assesses the Nutritional
Profile of Textile Workers and Non Textile Workers of Uttar
Pradesh.

Methods

Out of total 920 subjects studied, 463 Textile Workers
and 457 Non Textile Workers were randomly selected
and interviewed for the purpose of study; Tools used
were three days home visits and group meetings.
Anthropometric measurements taken were height and
weight. Dietary data was collected using standardized
cups methods.

Results

The findings depict that most of the Textile Workers and
Non Textile Workers were basically non-vegetarian and
majority of the Textile Workers and their families mostly
missed regular pattern of three meals a day. Chronic
Energy Deficiency (CED) was found to be more prevalent
in Textile Workers as compared to Non Textile Workers but
the prevalence of over weight/obesity was seen more in
Non Textile Workers.

Conclusions

The nutritional status of the Textile Workers and their
families was not an excellent one.

Keywords

Textile Workers, Non-Textile Workers, Chronic Energy
Deficiency (CED), Nutritional Status.

Study on Factors Associated With the Deterioration of Respiratory Function Among Male Textile Workers in Uttar Pradesh

Study on Factors Associated With the Deterioration of Respiratory Function Among Male Textile
Workers in Uttar Pradesh

Ajeet Jaiswal Assistant Professor , Department of Anthropology, Pondicherry University,
Puducherry-605014, India. E-mail: rpgajeet@gmail.com,

ABSTRACT

Background: The textile and clothing sector in India is changing as a result of developing technology
and economic conditions, with businesses restructuring, modernizing, and adapting to technological
change. Reduction of respiratory function among Textile workers in the textile industry has been
observed since the 1970s. A contaminant of raw cotton fiber and cotton dust, has been proposed
as a affecting agent that may deteriorate the respiratory function. Present study aimed to find the
factors associated with the deterioration of respiratory function among male Textile workers.
Methods: The sample consisted of 253 men above the age of 20 years who had worked for at least
3 months in a textile factory and 245 male Non Textile workers of same area were studied. All the
respondents were interviewed by a pretested questionnaire to gather information regarding the chest
symptoms, certain personal characteristics and occupational history. Statistical analyses like
Chi-square and odds ratio was done to determine the significant difference between male Textile
Workers and male Non Textile Workers.
Results: Univariate analysis of the factors for symptomatic byssinosis showed that dusty worksites,
heavy smoking and duration of service years were significant. Logistic regression analysis showed
that working in the scouring (odds ratio 11.6), spinning (odds ratio 4.68) and weaving sections (odds
ratio 2.8), heavy smoking (odds ratio 11.9) and more than 10 years of service (odds ratio 2.3) were
independent significant risk factors.
Conclusion: Efforts to reduce dust levels in the working environment and to discourage smoking
among textile workers need to be strengthened to minimize the risk of developing byssinosis.

Keywords: Occupational Health, Respiratory Functions, Textiles Workers,

A Study on Body Mass Index and Prevalence of Chronic Energy Deficiency among Adult Kharwar Tribes of India

A Study on Body Mass Index and Prevalence of Chronic Energy Deficiency among Adult Kharwar Tribes of India


Ajeet Jaiswal*
Department of Anthropology, Pondicherry University, Puducherry, India

Abstract:

The Health and nutritional status of an individual depends on the food he eats. Man needs a wide range of
nutrients to lead a healthy and active life and these are derived through the diet they consume daily. Good nutrition is a basic component of health. This paper deals with the utility of various anthropometric cut-off points in the evaluation of nutritional & health status. The Kharwar is one of the Adavasi groups of Uttar Pradesh and Bihar. “They are contemporary of Mundari speaking Indian tribes” and “racially they belong to Proto-Australoids” and “linguistically to Dravidian group”. The traditional economic activities of the Kharwar have been agriculture and other wage earning labour. The objective of the present study is to investigate the nutritional status of adult Kharwar tribal. This crosssectional study was undertaken to determine the prevalence of under nutrition using body mass index (BMI) among individuals of 18 years and above. A total of 151 (75 males and 76 females) adults from the different villages of Varanasi- Mirzapur District were measured. The result revealed that prevalence of under nutrition (age and sex combined) among Kharwar was 26.5 %. The sex specific rates were 33.3 % and 19.4 % among females and males, respectively. There was a highly significant sex difference in Chronic Energy Deficiency (CED) prevalence based on
BMI. Kharwar adults were experiencing serious situation, especially the women and oldest were experiencing the most serious situation with respect to their health and nutritional status.


Keywords: Chronic Energy Deficiency, Kharwar tribes, Nutritional Profile, Body Mass Index.

A study of the occupational health function among female textile workers

A study of the occupational health function among female textile workers

Ajeet Jaiswal Department of Anthropology, Pondicherry University, Pondicherry-605014, India. E-mail: rpgajeet@gmail.com,


Reduction of respiratory function among textile workers in the textile industry has been observed since the
1970s. A contaminant of raw cotton fiber and cotton dust, has been proposed as a affecting agent that
may deteriorate the respiratory function. Present study aimed to find the factors associated with the
deterioration of respiratory function among female textile workers. The sample consisted of 243 men above the age of 20 years who had worked for at least 3 months years in a textile factory and 235 female non textile workers of same area were studied. All the respondents were interviewed by a pretested questionnaire to gather information regarding the chest symptoms, certain personal characteristics and occupational history.
Statistical analyses like Chi-square and odds ratio was done to determine the significant difference between
female textile workers and female non textile workers. Univariate analysis of the factors for symptomatic
byssinosis showed that dusty worksites, heavy smoking and duration of service years were significant.
Logistic regression analysis showed that working in the scouring (odds ratio 11.0), spinning (odds ratio 4.7)
and weaving sections (odds ratio 2.6), heavy smoking (odds ratio 12.4) and more than 10 years of service (odds ratio 2.8) were independent significant risk factors. Efforts to reduce dust levels in the working environment
and to discourage smoking among textile workers need to be strengthened to minimize the risk of developing
byssinosis.
Key words: Occupational health, respiratory problems, textiles workers, non textiles workers, FEV 1.0.

A Study of Taste Sensitivity of Phenylthiocarbamide and Colour blindness among the Jats of District Rohtak (Haryana)

A Study of Taste Sensitivity of Phenylthiocarbamide and Colour blindness among the Jats of District Rohtak
(Haryana)

Ajeet Jaiswal and A.K. Kapoor

Abstract

An organic compound called Phenylthiourea could divide people into two classes, “Tasters”
and “Non-tasters” irrespective of age, sex and race according to a study that was done by
A.L. Fox in 1932. Fox 1932, Harris and Kalmus (1951), Das (1956) showed that dominance
of taster gene “T” is incomplete with the failure of its penetrance in the heterozygotes to a
certain percentage. A study of taste sensitivity of P.T.C. and colour blindness among the Jats
of district Rohtak, Haryana was done. The t gene frequency was found to be 0.46 in the total
population and that of colourblindness was 3.11% among the males. The results have been
compared with the populations of the northern region of India. The trait of colourblindness
among the populations of the Northern India region has been looked into, in view of the
selection relaxation hypothesis.

Key words: PTC, Colourblindness, Jats, Rohtak, Haryana

A Case Control Study Among Carpet Thread Factory Workers in Uttar Pradesh, India: Occupational Injury and its Deteriorating Factors

A Case Control Study Among Carpet Thread Factory Workers in Uttar Pradesh, India: Occupational Injury and its Deteriorating Factors

By Dr. Ajeet Jaiswal Pondicherry University,India

Abstract -

Occupational injuries have a major impact on public health and exact a huge toll in the
workplace. Annually throughout the world, it is estimated that ∼300 000 people die from 250
million accidents that occur in the workplace (who 1999). However, efforts towards investigation
of determinants among carpet thread factory workers are very minimal in developing countries
including India. The aim of the study was to identify determinants of occupational injury among
workers in carpet thread factory of Varanasi district, Uttar Pradesh state, India and to assess the
different protective measures used during working day to prevent the different hazards.
The sample consisted of 650 carpet thread factory included 310 workers (cases) and 340
non workers (controls).All the respondents were interviewed by a pretested questionnaire
regarding occupational injury status within Eighteen month period (May 2007 to November
2008).

Keywords : Occupational injury, Carpet Thread Factory, Workers, Non Workers

Industrial Health Management and Safety in the Textile Industry

Industrial Health Management and Safety in the Textile Industry

* Ajeet Jaiswal, **Sapna Jaiswal

*Dr. Ajeet Jaiswal, Assistant Professor, Department of Anthropology, Pondicherry University, Puducherry, India.  Email: rpgajeet@gmail.com, Phone no. : 09791201427, 08122594335.

**Mrs Sapna Jaiswal, MBA, Indira Gandhi National Open University, New Delhi.

Abstract:

Industrial health management and safety also commonly referred to as Industrial health and safety or workplace health and safety is an area concerned with the safety, health and welfare of people engaged in work or employment. The goals of occupational safety and health programs include to foster a safe and healthy work environment. Industrial health and safety may also protect co-workers, family members, employers, customers, and many others who might be affected by the workplace environment. Industrial health is a multidisciplinary field of healthcare concerned with enabling an individual to undertake their occupation, in the way that causes least harm to their health. Health has been defined as it contrasts, for example, with the promotion of health and safety at work, which is concerned with preventing harm from any incidental hazards, arising in the workplace. This article aims at studying Industrial Health Management and Safety issues in relation to the US and Indian textile industries in detail, along with the possible solutions for these problems describing the major safety and health issues in the textile industry like Workplace hazards, Exposure to cotton dust, Exposure to chemicals, Exposure to noise, Ergonomic issues and Healthcare and Social Assistance.

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Key words: Industrial Health Management, Textile industry, Occupational Safety and Health programs.