Musculoskeletal health and occupational hazards in Northeast Indian farmers: A cross-sectional analysis

Background Agriculture serves as the primary livelihood in rural Northeast India where the challenging hilly terrain necessitates manual effort and labor-intensive farming practices which results in fatigue and musculoskeletal problems among the farmers. Objective This study aimed to assess the musculoskeletal disorders and their associated risk factors in labor-intensive farm activities in northeast India. Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted involving 120 adult farmers (53 females and 67 males) aged 18 and above in Meghalaya and Manipur of northeast India. Demographic data were gathered through a structured schedule interviews and direct observation during 2021–22. The study employed the Standardised Nordic Questionnaire to measure musculoskeletal disorders and the Rapid Entire Body Assessment tool to evaluate posture and exertion in a subset of farmers (18 males, 12 females). Results Results indicated that 74% of workers in northeast India experienced musculoskeletal disorders, with the lower back (72.50%) being the most affected body part followed by neck (43.33%) and shoulder (40.83%). Chi-square (χ 2 ) analysis revealed significant associations (p < 0.05) between the occurrence of overall musculoskeletal disorders and factors (education, age, and work experience). Further, multivariate logistic regression indicated that higher education level decreased the likelihood of overall musculoskeletal disorders and lower back issue. Remarkably, 35% of farmers were classified as high-risk (scoring 8–10) and 70% were classified as very high-risk (score ≥11). Conclusions The findings emphasize the need for ergonomic interventions and the introduction of mechanized tools to reduce -physical strain, thereby improving health outcomes and productivity among farmers in Northeast India.