Occupational health burden of handloom workers: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Meta-analysisFrontiers in public health· 2026

Occupational health burden of handloom workers: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Chandan Kumar Swain, Himanshu Sekhar Rout, Simpul Behera … Anjali Dash

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Occupational & Environmental MedicineMeta-analysisQ1IF 4.0

Handloom workers show no significant difference in overall disease prevalence versus controls.

Occupational health burden of handloom workers: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Chandan Kumar Swain … Anjali Dash

Frontiers in public health · 2026 · Q1 in Public Health

Background

Handloom is a traditional textile production sector, and the handloom workers work in risky conditions that may adversely affect their health and wellbeing.

Methods

Data were extracted from Scopus, Web of Science, and PubMed databases.

n = 47 eligible articles

Results

RR 1.03

handloom workers had about the same overall disease risk as controls, no difference

n = 47 eligible articles

More results

The annual growth rate of publications in this field was found to be 1.55 percent between 1980 and 2024, indicating a gradual increase in research interest.

The meta-analysis shows a higher relative risk of 1.24 ( P = 0.16) for musculoskeletal disorders among handloom workers compared to control groups which was not significant.

More results

This statement shows that no significant difference in the overall prevalence of diseases among handloom workers compared to the control groups.

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Conclusion

These findings underscore the need for targeted occupational health policies and interventions to mitigate health risks among handloom workers.

Occupational health burden of handloom workers: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Occupational health burden of handloom workers: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

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