Journal of Ecophysiology and Occupational Health

Open Access Open Access  Restricted Access Subscription Access

Identification of Correlation among Field Farmers’ Work Ability Index, Occupational Stress Level and Practiced Coping Mechanism in a Selected Rural Area, West Bengal


Affiliations
1 Doctoral Research Scholar, Department of Nursing, Rani Meyyammai College of Nursing, Annamalai University, Chidambaram – 608002, Tamil Nadu, India
2 Assistant Professor, Department of Nursing, Rani Meyyammai College of Nursing, Annamalai University, Chidambaram – 608002, Tamil Nadu, India
3 Dean (Nursing), The Neotia University, Sarisha - 743368, West Bengal, India
 

Background: Occupational stress is common among field farmers. Evidence suggests altered mental health issues following farming. Methods and Material: A cross-sectional study was performed among purposively selected 248 field farmers in a rural area of West Bengal in the span of July to September month, 2022. Four sections were included in the research tool. Results: Results found that 98% were small-field farmers. 79.84% of farmers had a moderate work ability index and it was associated with age, marital status, caste, and annual income. Elements of the brief COPE inventory were not associated with the Work Ability Index. The occupational stress factors were presented in the frequency of low to high-level experiences. Conclusions: This study demonstrated the association between the Work Ability Index and demographic variables. Occupational stress factors of agricultural, financial and family-related domains were identified.

Keywords

Coping, Field Farmers, Occupational Stress, Work Ability Index identified.
User
Notifications
Font Size


  • Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India. National Health Policy, 2017. Available from: https://www.nhp.gov.in/nhpfiles/national_health_policy_2017.pdf

  • Vedantu. Farming in India. 2023 January 21. Available from: https://www.vedantu.com/geography/farming-in-india

  • World Health Organisation. Working for health: Expanding and transforming the health and social workforce for the Sustainable Development Goals. 2018. Available from: https://apps.who.int/iris/handle/10665/275480

  • Ilmarinen J. The Work Ability Index (WAI). Occupational Medicine. 2007; 57:160. https://doi.org/10.1093/occmed/kqm008

  • Agri farming. Problems faced by Indian farmers - A full guide. 2022. Available from: https://www.agrifarming.in/problems-faced-by-indian-farmers-a-full-guide

  • Pappas S. Unique pressures put America’s farmers under stress: APA is educating psychologists on the specific mental and behavioural health needs of the agriculture community. American Psychological Association. 2019. https://doi.org/10.1037/e510862019-001

  • Carver SC. Brief Cope Dpt of Psychology. Miami College of Arts and Science.

  • Rostamabadi A, Mazloumi A, Foroushan AR. Work Ability Index (WAI) and its health-related determinants among Iranian Farmers Working in Small Farm Enterprises. J Occup Health. 2014; 56:478–84. PMid: 25355202. https://doi.org/10.1539/joh.13-0171-OA

  • Rudolphi MJ, Berg LR, Parsaik A. Depression, anxiety and stress among young farmers and ranchers: A pilot study. Comm Ment Heal J. 2020; 56:126–34. PMid: 31583619. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10597-019-00480-y


Abstract Views: 120

PDF Views: 65




  • Identification of Correlation among Field Farmers’ Work Ability Index, Occupational Stress Level and Practiced Coping Mechanism in a Selected Rural Area, West Bengal

Abstract Views: 120  |  PDF Views: 65

Authors

Indrakshi Basu
Doctoral Research Scholar, Department of Nursing, Rani Meyyammai College of Nursing, Annamalai University, Chidambaram – 608002, Tamil Nadu, India
Rajadurai Premavathy
Assistant Professor, Department of Nursing, Rani Meyyammai College of Nursing, Annamalai University, Chidambaram – 608002, Tamil Nadu, India
Smritikana Mani
Dean (Nursing), The Neotia University, Sarisha - 743368, West Bengal, India

Abstract


Background: Occupational stress is common among field farmers. Evidence suggests altered mental health issues following farming. Methods and Material: A cross-sectional study was performed among purposively selected 248 field farmers in a rural area of West Bengal in the span of July to September month, 2022. Four sections were included in the research tool. Results: Results found that 98% were small-field farmers. 79.84% of farmers had a moderate work ability index and it was associated with age, marital status, caste, and annual income. Elements of the brief COPE inventory were not associated with the Work Ability Index. The occupational stress factors were presented in the frequency of low to high-level experiences. Conclusions: This study demonstrated the association between the Work Ability Index and demographic variables. Occupational stress factors of agricultural, financial and family-related domains were identified.

Keywords


Coping, Field Farmers, Occupational Stress, Work Ability Index identified.

References