KABUL (SW) – A number of women, in interviews with Salam Watandar, say that due to the excessive housework and lack of essential nutrients, calcium, and minerals in their bodies, they have developed chronic feet pain.
They add that despite the severe pain, they do not take the illness seriously due to economic difficulties.
Zahra, a woman responsible for all housework who suffers from joint pain, explains: “There has been a delay in my treatment; our family is large and we don’t have the necessary equipment. I wash clothes by hand, and the workload is heavy, so I stand a lot. When I haven’t interacted with water for 20 days or even a month or keep my feet warm, these changes help alleviate the pain.”
Sara, another woman who has the responsibility of managing all household chores and suffers from joint pain, says: “I am overweight as well. When I work or walk a lot, I face this problem. If I don’t see a doctor and take medication, the issue returns.”
Meanwhile, some women interviewed for this report say that economic issues and a lack of minerals, nutrients, and vitamins in their bodies have led to joint pain.
Zohra, a woman from Kabul who suffers from joint pain due to a lack of nutrients, says: “My name is Zohra. I suffer from joint pain, especially in my knees. The cause of my joint pain is the deficiency of calcium and minerals.”
Mahjabin, another woman from Kabul, who suffers also from joint pain due to a lack of nutrients, says: “Not going to the doctor and not taking medicine negatively affects my treatment. We have financial problems, and I can’t say much. I don’t have a job; I’m a housewife, busy with household chores.”
Qandi Gul, another woman from Kabul, says: “In the last five years, I’ve only been to the doctor three times. We didn’t have the money, so I couldn’t visit a doctor. My situation isn’t good, and it has affected my health.”
Orthopedic doctors cite excessive contact with water and moisture, calcium and vitamin deficiencies, hard physical labor, osteoporosis, and joint inflammation as some of the major causes of joint pain in women. They report that 90% of their patients are women.
Dr. Mohammad Naeem Shinwari, an orthopedic specialist, explains: “The main cause of knee or joint pain is chronic diseases like rheumatism, joint inflammation, trauma, or falling from a height. These are the main causes of knee pain. If a person is affected and experiences severe pain, they should see a doctor immediately. Based on the doctor’s examination, treatment recommendations will be made.”
Women’s rights activists emphasize the important role of women in the home and family, suggesting that for women’s health, men in the family should assist with household tasks. Yalda Azizi, a women’s rights activist, says: “We should be aware of their conditions, such as back and leg pain. We ask men to cooperate with their wives, at least in terms of health, by taking them to doctors and ensuring they are well.”
Sharafat Zaman Amarkhil, spokesperson for the Ministry of Public Health of the de-facto government, states that treatment for joint pain is available in hospitals in Kabul and the provinces. “In Kabul, at the Wazir Akbar Khan hospital, there are active and professional orthopedic staff who provide services. If someone has knee problems, joint issues, or rheumatism, they can visit orthopedic departments in the provinces or in Kabul.”
It is important to note that joint pain has various causes, with factors such as excessive housework, lack of nutrients, and economic struggles being the most common, which affect many women in Afghanistan.
