Occupational Prevalence of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome in Textile Industry Workers

Abstract

Background:  Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (CTS) is a common neuropathy caused by median nerve compression in the wrist, often linked to repetitive hand and wrist movements. Textile workers are especially at risk due to prolonged manual tasks and faulty postures. CTS can cause pain, numbness, and functional impairment, impacting productivity and quality of life.  Purpose: This study aims to determine the prevalence of CTS among textile workers in and investigate how it relates to gender, work experience, hand dominance, and job functions.  Methods and Materials: The study was conducted among the textile workers in Jaipur, Rajasthan. The Boston Carpal Tunnel Questionnaire (BCTQ) was used to evaluate CTS symptoms in a study of 370 employees. Participants were considered CTS-positive if their Symptom Severity Score (SSS) was 3.0 or higher. Descriptive statistics summarized the data, and chi-square tests analysed associations between CTS status and demographic variables, with significance at p < 0.05. A 95% confidence interval was used to express prevalence estimates. Results: The findings indicated that 25.4% of workers had CTS, highlighting a significant burden in the workforce. More common in males, those with 31–40 years of experience, and specific roles like trimmers and fabric inspectors, none of these correlations were statistically significant. Chi-square tests showed that gender, experience, hand dominance, and occupational role did not independently predict CTS. Conclusions: Repetitive hand actions remain a concern, even without statistically significant data. These findings emphasize the importance of early screening, workplace ergonomics, and health education to prevent and manage CTS among textile workers, enhancing their well-being and productivity.