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Stress and depression are common in textile industry employees due to inadequate working conditions and challenging socioeconomic conditions. The objective of the study was to assess depression and mental health among adolescent and young females currently employed in a textile factory located in Tamil Nadu compared with past employees and women who have never been employed. This cross-sectional study included a total of 107 participants in each study group who were interviewed. The Patient Health Questionnaire–9 and Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire were administered to screen participants for depression and mental health. More current employees (16.82%) and past employees (15.88%) suffered from depression severe enough to require treatment compared with never employed girls and young women (2.8%). Of the study participants, 59.8% of current employees, 63.6% of past employees, and 32.7% of never employed women had mental health or behavior problems. In the regression model, history of abuse was significantly associated with depression. Participants who were current employees and reported family debt and a history of abuse were significantly more likely to have mental health or behavior problems. Mental health issues such as depression and behavior problems were more likely among adolescent girls currently employed in textile industries. Further studies into the causes of this phenomenon are needed.

Background: Poor nutritional status among adolescent girls who are future potential mothers, impacts their growth, cognitive development, immunity and work productivity. Objective: We aimed to assess the nutritional status of female adolescent employees of the textile industry of Tamil Nadu, as compared to that of former young female employees of the industry and adolescent girls who have never been employed. Methods: A cross sectional study was done in Nagapattinam district. Height and weight were measured using standard procedures. Diet and physical activity were assessed using the Indian Adolescent Health Questionnaire. Participants were enquired if they were diagnosed to have anaemia. Adolescent girls who are currently employed in textile factories, women aged 16 to 28 who were employed in textile factories in the past and adolescent girls who were never employed formed the 3 study groups, with 107 participants in each group. Results: As per the Body Mass Index, 45.8% of the current employees, 41.1% of the former employees and 52.3% of the never been employed participants were underweight. Ever been diagnosed to have anaemia (at-least once in their life time) was reported by 11.2% of the current employees, 16.8% of the past employees and 4.7% of the never been employed adolescent girls. Significant differences among the study groups regarding practice of health behaviours were observed, with more current employees practising adverse health behaviours as compared to others. Conclusion: Being underweight and/or anaemia are major public health problems among adolescent girls, irrespective of their employment status. The study findings indicate the need for inculcation of positive practice of health behaviours from childhood.

Background: Weight management and adequate nutrition are complex issues for people with disabilities due to their impairments. This study aimed to assess the nutritional status of people with disabilities in Kaniyambadi block, a rural area in Tamil Nadu, India. Methods: People with disabilities were administered Mini-Nutritional Assessment (MNA) scale to assess their nutritional status. Their level of disability was assessed using the Disability Assessment Schedule (WHO DAS version 2.0). Anthropometric measures taken were height, weight, demi-arm span, knee height, mid-arm circumference, calf circumference and abdominal circumference. Results: A total of 300 people with disabilities were interviewed. As per the MNA scale, 8.3% of people with disabilities were malnourished and 51.7% of them were at risk for malnutrition. Factors which were significantly associated with malnutrition and at risk for malnutrition were, the presence of more than one type of disability (Adjusted odds ratio 2.127, 95% CI 1.093-4.136, p value 0.026) and severe disability (Adjusted odds ratio 6.106, 95% CI 3.194-11.67, p value 0.001). Negative correlation was observed between the scores of MNA scale and WHO DAS 2.0. Increase in severity of disability was correlated with reduced nutritional status, r = -0.647 and p value 0.01. Conclusion: More than half the study population were either malnourished or were at risk of malnutrition. Severe disability is associated with malnutrition. Mini-Nutritional Assessment (MNA) proved to be a useful and simple tool for assessment of nutritional status among people with disabilities. Nutrition assessment and nutritional therapy could be made a part of rehabilitation in persons with disabilities.

Poor participation in society, stigma and discrimination can contribute to poor life satisfaction and quality of life among people with disabilities. This study aimed to assess the quality of life of people with physical disabilities. A total of 203 individuals with physical disabilities were sampled through simple random sampling method from the people with disabilities registry in Kaniyambadi, a rural block in Tamil Nadu, India. Quality of life was measured using the WHO QOL-BREF. Severity of disability was assessed using the WHO DAS 2.0. Of the persons with physical disabilities, 37.5% rated their quality of life as poor and 92.4% experienced negative feelings often. Dissatisfaction about health was present among 35% of the individuals. Acquired disability and severe disability were significantly associated with lower scores in the physical and psychological domain of quality of life. Being single, belonging to poor socio-economic status and having severe disability were factors which were significantly associated with lower scores in the social and environmental domain of quality of life. Marital and socio-economic status significantly impacts the social and environmental domain of quality of life of people with disabilities. National programmes on disability should target on provision of inclusive educational and occupational opportunities with the aid of assistive technologies for people with disabilities, for improvement of quality of life.

Musculoskeletal disorders are common in those employed in the textile industry. The aim of the study is to assess musculoskeletal disorders among adolescent girls who are current employees of textile industries in comparison with the adolescent girls and young women who are past employees of textile industries and adolescent girls who have never been employed in the textile industry.