ANEMIA IS ASSOCIATED WITH REDUCED PRODUCTIVITY OF WOMEN WORKERS EVEN IN LESS-PHYSICALLY-STRENUOUS TASKS

While many studies show reduced work output in heavy labour with poor nutritional status, data among less-physically-strenuous industrial oc cupations is scarce. In the present study the output of ninety-two wom en jute-factory workers over a 1-month period was measured together wi th haemoglobin, BMI, arm muscle and fat area, physical work capacity ( maximum Oz consumption; V-O2max), as well as socio-economic, health an d activity variables. A significant correlation was found between haem oglobin and work output, which remained significant (P < 0.005) after a multiple-regression analysis with other potentially confounding fact ors. Anaemic workers and those with V-O2max values less than 1.5 l/min were significantly less active at home than non-anaemic workers (P < 0.015). Anaemic women produced an average of 5.3 % less in the factory and performed an average of 6.5 h less housework per week.