ABSTRACT:
Background: Carrying heavy loads in the hilly mountain region, load carriers or porters face extreme ranges of rising terrain condition which is very steep and sloped path also lack of oxygen due to altitude especially when these porters are female. The female porters in Sikkim, India, commonly carry head-supported loads, which often measurably more than their body weight, short event after over long distances up and down the steep mountain paths which evoked us to assess occupational health status of these female porters. Objective: To evaluate different physical and physiological parameters specially focused on cardio-respiratory parameters of female porters of Sikkim and to assess changes if any, in hand grip strength and spinal shrinkage in the same population. Methods: twenty seven female porters and twenty age matched (Age: 30-40 years) female shop keepers (as control subjects) of same age group from the same area were selected for the study. Different physical, anthropometric and physiological parameters were studied according to referenced methods. Students “t” test was performed to find out the significant difference (P<0.05), if any, between the selected variables. Results: This study suggests that the female porters are physically healthy but having spinal shrinkage along with lower hand grip strength by showing aptness of poor cardio-respiratory health. Conclusion: This study underpins a conjecture that carrying head-supported loads is associated with poor lung function and raised spinal shrinkage in female porters of Sikkim. To develop an effectual intervention approach, the treatment seeking behavior of individuals would also need to be upgraded through awareness program.