Prevalence of Musculoskeletal Disorders in Cotton Spinning Floor Charkha Female Weavers Using the Nordic Musculoskeletal Questionnaire

Aisha Siddiqua Rehan Ahmad, Dr. Ahmad Noor

Abstract: Weaving is a physically demanding occupation associated with prolonged static postures and repetitive upper?limb activity, which predispose workers to work?related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSDs). Cotton spinning by floor charkha is commonly performed by women in Malegaon under ergonomically poor conditions, yet local epidemiological data are scarce. This cross?sectional study analysed the prevalence, distribution, and severity of musculoskeletal pain among cotton spinning floor charkha female workers using the Nordic Musculoskeletal Questionnaire (NMQ) and the Numerical Pain Rating Scale (NPRS). A total of 136 female workers aged 30?45 years, with more than 2 years of experience and working 4?9 hours per day, were recruited by random sampling in Malegaon. Sociodemographic data were collected, NMQ was administered for 12?month and 7?day symptom prevalence, and NPRS (0?10) quantified pain intensity in each affected region. Data were analysed using SPSS 30 with descriptive statistics. The mean age of participants was 37.85 ± 4.55 years and the mean work experience was 9.33 ± 3.79 years. Over the previous 12 months, the right shoulder (99.2%), lower back (94.8%), neck (71.3%), and upper back (52.2%) were the most frequently affected sites. Pain preventing normal work in the last 12 months was most often reported in the right shoulder (14.7%) and lower back (5.8%). During the last 7 days, right shoulder (75.0%) and lower back (70.5%) remained the principal pain regions. Severity profiling showed high proportions of moderate?severe pain in the lower back (54.4% moderate, 38.2% severe) and right shoulder (68.4% moderate, 30.1% severe). These findings demonstrate a very high burden of WMSDs among cotton spinning floor charkha female weavers, especially in the dominant shoulder and lumbar spine, and highlight the urgent need for ergonomic modification, posture education, adequate rest breaks, and targeted occupational health interventions.

Keywords: Work?related musculoskeletal disorders, cotton spinning, floor charkha, Nordic Musculoskeletal Questionnaire, female weavers, NPRS

How to Cite?: Aisha Siddiqua Rehan Ahmad, Dr. Ahmad Noor, "Prevalence of Musculoskeletal Disorders in Cotton Spinning Floor Charkha Female Weavers Using the Nordic Musculoskeletal Questionnaire", Volume 14 Issue 12, December 2025, International Journal of Science and Research (IJSR), Pages: 1303-1305, https://www.ijsr.net/getabstract.php?paperid=MR251217152245, DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.21275/MR251217152245