Morbidity profile and quality of life of waged agricultural workers in a district of Andhra Pradesh

Abstract

Background: Agricultural workers derive their income by working on farms and confront a multitude of health risks, but their health profile or quality of life is rarely studied. Objectives: To assess the morbidity profile of agricultural workers, their quality of life and the association of morbidity profile with quality of life. Methodology: A Community based cross-sectional study conducted among 90 agricultural workers selected by multistage sampling in the villages of East Godavari district. Data was collected over 3 months using a semi-structured questionnaire and the WHO Quality Of Life-BREF questionnaire. Descriptive data were expressed as Mean and standard deviation and Chi-square test was used to analyse the association. Results: Males were 57.8% and females 42.2%. Mean age was 36.3±9.89 years. Majority, 42.3% belong to 31 – 40 years group. Morbidities were sunstroke 27 (30%), skin allergies 32 (35.6%) and psychological disturbances 55 (61.1%). Good Quality of life was seen in 52 (57.8%) people in both physical and social domains and poor quality of life seen in 51(56.7%) psychological and 49 (54.4%) environmental domains. Statistical associations are seen between morbidities and quality of life. Conclusion: Agricultural workers have considerable morbidities and compromised quality of life in all four domains, which needs to be addressed.