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Costa W.D.S.T.1, Jayalath J.S.S.1, De Silva N.1, Dassanayake U.H.1, Fernando K.D.S.1, Sathanantham P.1, Silva S.N.2
1International Institute of Health Sciences, Physiotherapy, Welisara, Sri Lanka, 2International Institute of Health Sciences, Academic, Welisara, Sri Lanka
Background: Toddy is an alcoholic drink which is made by fermenting the sap of the coconut flower. It is used in several industries. The toddy tapper's task is to climb the coconut tree and obtain the sap from the coconut flower. In Sri Lanka, they use traditional methods of climbing the coconut trees and walking on ropes that are tied between the coconut tree tops. The techniques and means of climbing are not standardized, but the knowledge is passed down generations. They also carry the heavy equipment required to do the tapping. These methods of climbing coconut trees, walking on the ropes and the heavy equipment put these tappers at a risk of many musculoskeletal conditions.
Purpose: To identify the musculoskeletal issues and the related risk practices, among Toddy tappers in Sri Lanka.
Methods: The study was designed as a Qualitative research in which 4 types of data collections were performed. Participatory observation was done by trained physiotherapy students. Semi structured interviews were conducted. A Mobile application was used for gait analysis and also visual ethnography using photographs was used to identify the risk activities from the consented tappers.
Results: Thematic Analysis was performed on the data collected using all the mentioned methods. Two themes were identified. Disease conditions like scoliosis, shoulder range of movement limitation and high arches were among some of the diseases noticed. Risk activities related to the traditional means of toddy tapping and the attitudes of the tappers towards the musculoskeletal diseases and the risks. The traditional means of the industry such as having to climb using movements that lead to hyper flexion of the hip and the knee, the excessive load on the knee joint when climbing trees whilst carrying heavy equipment, the imbalance of load on the hip/spine and the impact on the foot arches while walking on the ropes. The attitudes that lead to the conditions, made them neglect the risks and possibly lead to complications were based on the traditional beliefs of the community. The lack of awareness on the risks that could lead to these diseases and the fact that they thought the previous generations for centuries continued the same techniques made them further deny the possible relationship between the diseases and their job activities. However the diseases and disabilities were making them leave or give up the industry.
Conclusion(s): The traditional methods of toddy tapping increased the risk of musculoskeletal diseases among the toddy tappers in Sri Lanka.
Implications: This study implies that for the sustainability of the toddy industry, it is important to introduce techniques that reduce the risk on the tappers and also it is important to regularly assess the health of the tappers and to refer them for proper treatment.
Funding acknowledgements: Self funding research. The author would like to Acknowledge the assistance from International Institute of Health Sciences, Sri Lanka.
Topic: Occupational health & ergonomics
Ethics approval: Bioinquirer ethics review committee, Sri Lanka
All authors, affiliations and abstracts have been published as submitted.
