Occupational risk factors and associated stress level among coffee plantation workers of Kodagu District, Karnataka, India

Abstract

Background: Agricultural work is subject to the health risks inherent to a rural environment and at the same time to those deriving from the specific work process involved. This sector of activity being most unorganized, very little attention has been given to the occupational health problems. Coffee estate workers face many occupational risksMethods: The sample size of the study was 340. The study was conducted from November 2021 to May 2022 in Kodagu district, Karnataka, India. A purposive sampling technique was used. Occupational health risks were measured using a self-constructed questionnaire. Perceived level of Stress level was assessed using Cohen’s Perceived Stress Scale.Results: Association of physical, chemical, mechanical and animal hazards with perceived stress level was found. Majority of the plantation workers experienced occupational risks, 15.58% workers experienced low stress, 27.35% workers experienced high stress and 57.05% workers experienced moderate stress. The results showed that there was no evidence to show the association between occupational risk factors and associated stress levels.Conclusions: In the light of the results of the current study and answers to the research questions, it could be concluded that; more than half of the studied farmers were exposed to occupational injuries and hazards. Though more than three fourth of the coffee plantation workers experienced stress, there was no association between occupational risk factors and stress levels. Measures have to be taken to protect the workers from occupational hazards.