Health of Coconut Tree Climbers of Rural Southern India – Medical Emergencies, Body Mass Index and Occupational Marks: A Quantitative and Survey Study
Introduction: Coconut plucking, a profession of a few communities in southern India, is an arduous calling now. Permanent cosmetic defects to the skin, apart from medical emergencies, have forced many to abandon this time honoured profession. The objective of the present study was to explore the...
| Main Authors: | , , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
JCDR Research and Publications Private Limited
2012-02-01
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| Series: | Journal of Clinical and Diagnostic Research |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://jcdr.net/articles/PDF/1829/13%20-%203430.(A).pdf |
| Summary: | Introduction: Coconut plucking, a profession of a few communities in southern India, is an arduous calling now. Permanent
cosmetic defects to the skin, apart from medical emergencies,
have forced many to abandon this time honoured profession.
The objective of the present study was to explore the health
status and the casualties in traditional coconut tree climbers in
southern India.
Method: A total of 240 male volunteers, all below 55 years,
who were engaged in the profession, were interviewed between
January 2006 and December 2008. A survey on the history of the
falls, injuries, changes in the skin or body parts and the incidence
rate of the withdrawal from the occupation were collected. The
anthropometric data of 220 participants and their body mass
index (BMI) was calculated. The parts which were afflicted due
to occupational dermatosis were photographed and measured
by using the scion image software.
Results: 15% volunteers from group1 (<10 years of experience),
26.6% from group 2 (10-20 years of experience), 44% from group 3
(20-30 years of experience), and 41.3% from group 4 (>30 years of
experience) fell down from trees, resulting in injuries. The histories
of accidental cuts/lacerations from special knives which were used
and those of skids/slips during the monsoon season in groups1, 2,
3, and 4 were 7.7, 15.0, 16.9, 12.0% respectively. The body weight
and the BMI of the climbers in groups 2, 3 and 4 showed significant
declines as compared to those of the non-climbers. Colles, vertebral
and maxillary fractures, tendocalcaneus lesions and severe allergies,
were among the medical emergencies which were listed.
Conclusion: This study establishes a decline in the BMI with
a progress in the tree-climbing experience, with marked falls
being noted in groups 3 and 4. We suggest that this type of data
should be taken into consideration in the plantation industry
that depends on physical attributes, pesticides and lethal farm
implements as the routine requirements. |
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| ISSN: | 2249-782X 0973-709X |