Qualitative Study to Explore the Occupational and Reproductive Health Challenges among Women Tobacco Farm Laborers in Mysore District, India

Priyanka Ravi (), Kiranmayee Muralidhar, Maiya G. Block Ngaybe, Shivamma Nanjaiah, Poornima Jayakrishna, Ashley A. Lowe, Karl Krupp, Amanda M. Wilson, Frank A. von Hippel, Zhao Chen, Lynn B. Gerald and Purnima Madhivanan
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Priyanka Ravi: Department of Health Promotion Sciences, Mel & Enid Zuckerman College of Public Health, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ 85721, USA
Kiranmayee Muralidhar: Public Health Research Institute of India (PHRII), Mysore 570020, Karnataka, India
Maiya G. Block Ngaybe: Department of Health Promotion Sciences, Mel & Enid Zuckerman College of Public Health, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ 85721, USA
Shivamma Nanjaiah: Public Health Research Institute of India (PHRII), Mysore 570020, Karnataka, India
Poornima Jayakrishna: Public Health Research Institute of India (PHRII), Mysore 570020, Karnataka, India
Ashley A. Lowe: Advanced Nursing Practice and Science Division, College of Nursing, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ 85721, USA
Karl Krupp: Public Health Research Institute of India (PHRII), Mysore 570020, Karnataka, India
Amanda M. Wilson: Community, Environment & Policy Department, Mel & Enid Zuckerman College of Public Health, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ 85721, USA
Frank A. von Hippel: Community, Environment & Policy Department, Mel & Enid Zuckerman College of Public Health, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ 85721, USA
Zhao Chen: Epidemiology and Biostatistics Department, Mel & Enid Zuckerman College of Public Health, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ 85721, USA
Lynn B. Gerald: Office of Population Health Sciences, Office of the Vice Chancellor for Health Affairs, University of Illinois, Chicago, IL 60612, USA
Purnima Madhivanan: Department of Health Promotion Sciences, Mel & Enid Zuckerman College of Public Health, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ 85721, USA

IJERPH, 2024, vol. 21, issue 5, 1-19

Abstract: Tobacco farm laborers are primarily women and children working for very low wages. The aim of this study was to explore occupational and reproductive health challenges faced by women tobacco farm laborers in Mysore District, India. We conducted interviews and six focus group discussions among 41 women tobacco farm laborers. Codes and themes were generated based on deductive and inductive approaches using the socioecological model. Participants reported symptoms of green tobacco sickness including headaches, back pain, gastric problems, weakness, and allergies during menstruation, pre-natal, and post-natal periods. Participants had poor awareness about the health effects of tobacco farming, and there were gender inequalities in wages and the use of personal protective equipment. Participants received support from family and community health workers during their pregnancy and post-natal period. Women reported wanting maternity benefits from the tobacco board, as well as monetary support and nutritional supplements. There is a need for health education about the environmental dangers of tobacco among farm laborers, and more supportive policies for women farmworkers during pregnancy and post-natal periods.

Keywords: focus group discussion; occupational health; reproductive health; tobacco farmers; tobacco farming (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2024
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