Volume No. 6 Issue No.: 1 Page No.: 174-180 July-Sept 2011
HEALTH RISK FACTORS ASSOCIATED WITH PREPARATION OF WINTER FUEL IN RURAL AREAS OF KASHMIR, INDIA
Khursheed Ahmad Wani*1 and Y. K. Jaiswal2
1. Indira Gandhi Academy of Environmental Education Reasearch and Ecoplaning (IGAEERE), Jiwaji University, Gwalior (INDIA)
2. School Of Studies in Biochemistry, Jiwaji University, Gwalior (INDIA)
Received on : April 22, 2011
ABSTRACT
The purpose of the present study is to investigate the health risk factors of the women engaged in preparing fuel for Kangri used during the winter months in Kashmir India. The study has been conducted in ten villages of district Pulwama and Anantnag of Kashmir valley situated in India. The prepared questionnaire was used to assess the health risk factors of the women. The present investigation indicates that the majority of the women in these villages were illiterate. Most of them were suffering from health problems like cough, eye irritation, back pain, respiratory problems, headache, burns and anemia. The presented results demonstrate that the health condition of these women was unsatisfactory. Every woman on average suffered from 3-5 health-risk factors. Increasing awareness towards the harmful effects of smoke emanating from burning leaves will help to reduce these diseases.
Keywords : Charcoal industry, Women, Health risk factors, Awareness, Rural areas