Environmental and Structural Determinants of Health Related Quality of Life Among Women in Agricultural Communities: Evidence from India
1
GENERAL MEDICINE, al iqbal hospital, mangalore, India
Popul. Med. 2026;8(Supplement Supplement 1):
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND:
Agricultural communities in developing countries face unique environmental stressors including pesticide exposure, water quality issues, climate variability, and occupational hazards that disproportionately affect women's health and wellbeing. This study investigates the structural, health and psychosocial predictors of health related quality of life among women in an agricultural community in India, providing evidence for agricultural health policy and environmental management interventions.
METHODS:
A descriptive cross sectional study was conducted among randomly selected women (n=133) in an agricultural community in India between January and September 2022. The SF 36 Health Survey assessed physical and mental health domains across eight subscales, while the Coping Strategy Checklist evaluated cognitive, emotional and behavioural responses to environmental stressors. ANOVA and GLM analyses identified significant predictors of health related quality of life outcomes in this environmentally stressed agricultural setting.
RESULTS:
Among women in the agricultural community, years of residence, education level and employment status emerged as significant predictors of health related quality of life. Structural, health and psychosocial variables collectively explained 39% of variance in Physical Health and 33% of variance in Mental Health outcomes. Perceived health status proved to be an important independent predictor of both physical and mental health domains. Cognitive, emotional and behavioural coping strategies were significant predictors of health related quality of life, suggesting that psychological resilience plays a crucial role in mitigating environmental health stressors in agricultural settings.
CONCLUSIONS:
Agricultural women face substantial environmental health challenges that impact their quality of life, yet structural and psychosocial factors can mediate these effects. These findings have important implications for agricultural health economics and environmental policy. The economic costs of poor health , including reduced productivity and increased healthcare utilization, should be factored into agricultural development planning and environmental impact assessments.
Agricultural communities in developing countries face unique environmental stressors including pesticide exposure, water quality issues, climate variability, and occupational hazards that disproportionately affect women's health and wellbeing. This study investigates the structural, health and psychosocial predictors of health related quality of life among women in an agricultural community in India, providing evidence for agricultural health policy and environmental management interventions.
METHODS:
A descriptive cross sectional study was conducted among randomly selected women (n=133) in an agricultural community in India between January and September 2022. The SF 36 Health Survey assessed physical and mental health domains across eight subscales, while the Coping Strategy Checklist evaluated cognitive, emotional and behavioural responses to environmental stressors. ANOVA and GLM analyses identified significant predictors of health related quality of life outcomes in this environmentally stressed agricultural setting.
RESULTS:
Among women in the agricultural community, years of residence, education level and employment status emerged as significant predictors of health related quality of life. Structural, health and psychosocial variables collectively explained 39% of variance in Physical Health and 33% of variance in Mental Health outcomes. Perceived health status proved to be an important independent predictor of both physical and mental health domains. Cognitive, emotional and behavioural coping strategies were significant predictors of health related quality of life, suggesting that psychological resilience plays a crucial role in mitigating environmental health stressors in agricultural settings.
CONCLUSIONS:
Agricultural women face substantial environmental health challenges that impact their quality of life, yet structural and psychosocial factors can mediate these effects. These findings have important implications for agricultural health economics and environmental policy. The economic costs of poor health , including reduced productivity and increased healthcare utilization, should be factored into agricultural development planning and environmental impact assessments.
| eISSN: | 2654-1459 |
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