Ergonomic Analysis of Musculoskeletal Activities in Rural Area Women during Water Pot Lifting

Lifting water pots is a frequent and strenuous chore that rural women endure, frequently resulting in serious ergonomic issues and musculoskeletal strain. Chronic back pain, neck discomfort, joint problems, and muscle exhaustion are all exacerbated by the constant lifting, carrying, and postural stress that comes with fetching water. These physical issues are made worse by the lack of ergonomic equipment or safe lifting practices, which raises the possibility of long-term health issues. Key regions of discomfort, such as the lower back, shoulders, neck, legs, and arms, were identified through field observations, interviews, and biomechanical evaluations utilizing instruments like the Nordic Musculoskeletal Questionnaire (NMQ) and the Rapid Entire Body Assessment (REBA). Difficult positions that involve frequent waist bending and carrying excessive weight over extended distances are the main risk factors. These ergonomic problems are further aggravated by the water pot's design, particularly its weight and size, as well as by uneven terrain. To better understand these risk factors and their impact, logistic regression analysis was applied to the survey data. This statistical method helped identify significant predictors of musculoskeletal strain, revealing strong correlations between poor lifting posture, duration of carrying, and reported physical discomfort.