A STUDY OF HEALTH PROBLEMS OF WOMEN BEEDI ROLLERS IN AHMEDNAGAR DISTRICT: WITH SPECIAL REFERENCE TO AKOLE AND SANGAMNER TAHSILS OF AHMEDNAGAR DISTRICT MAHARASHTRA

Beedi rolling is one of the major unorganized sector activities in India, which employs a large number of women. Women constitute a very high percentage of labour force in the beedi manufacturing industry. These women Beedi rollers tend to suffer from a number of health problems due to continue contact with tobacco dust. The occupational health risk and health problems are many and medical facilities are very inadequate for the beedi rollers. A survey study was conducted in purposively selected blocks of Ahmednagar district of Maharashtra to understand various occupational health problems faced by the women Beedi rollers. Through this study author has examined the various problems faced by women Beedi rollers in availing health services in the hospital. Efforts have been made to understand whether the beedi rollers are aware about the adverse effects of beedi rolling on their health and whether the available facilities are adequate to provide preventive and curative health of these beedi rollers. It is observed that majority of the women Beedi rollers are not aware about the ill effect of the beedi rolling and facing many health problems. There are several constraints in availing medical services from beedi kamgar hospitals.