Health-Related Quality of Life among Artisanal Fisherwomen/Shellfish Gatherers: Lower than the General Population

Musculoskeletal disorders and quality of life of artisanal fishermen from riverside localities in the Brazilian Amazon

BACKGROUND

Artisanal fishing is widely practiced in the Amazon region. However, the exhaustive labor demand impacts on the health of fishermen. Thus, this study aimed to evaluate the prevalence of musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) and the relationship with the quality of life (QoL) of artisanal fishermen.

METHODS

A cross-sectional study was carried out, evaluating male fishermen from two rural communities bordering Janauacá lake, Amazonas. Data were collected through interviews, using REDCap installed on smartphones. The Nordic Musculoskeletal Questionnaire was utilized to identify the body regions with the greatest pain complaints, and QoL was assessed using the mental and physical components of the SF-12. After the descriptive analysis, linear regression analysis was performed to evaluate the association between the occurrence of MSDs and the components of QoL. The analyses were performed using Stata SE software, version 17.

RESULTS

In total, 115 fishermen were evaluated. MSDs were reported in all of the body regions assessed, with a higher prevalence in the lower (80.0%) and upper (43.5%) back, and knee (40.9%). Lower QoL scores were observed in emotional performance (20.7 ± 4.0), physical performance (25.1 ± 4.3), and mental health (29.0 ± 13.6). It was observed that individuals with any MSD presented worse QoL in the physical component (βadj=-5.0; 95%CI=-9.7; -0.3).

CONCLUSION

The findings showed a high prevalence of MSDs in the study population, as well as its impact on the QoL of artisanal fishermen. This highlights the need to reorganize health services to prevent the occurrence of MSDs, as well as for their treatment and rehabilitation.

A cross-sectional study to assess the occupational health hazards among fisherwomen in a metropolitan city

Context

Research on the working conditions and health hazards of fishing communities in developing countries is scarce.

Aims

1) To assess the occupational health hazards among women fish vendors. 2) To understand the morbidity profile in them. 3) To analyze various challenges faced by them at the workplace in this occupation. 4) To suggest various measures including ergonomic solutions that they can take to reduce these health hazards.

Settings and Design

Community-based observational cross-sectional study.

Methods and Material

Eight fish markets comprising women fish vendors working for more than one year (age > 30 years) in Mumbai were selected. A cluster sampling method was used. The sample size was 225. The period of the study was 2 years.

Statistical Analysis Used

Chi-square test.

Results

The majority of study subjects had diabetes mellitus (24%) and were overweight (54.7%). Of all participants, 55.1% had musculoskeletal pain of which low back pain (69; 30.7%) was most common. There was a significant association between musculoskeletal pain status and mode of carrying boxes, χ2 (1) =56.35 as well as with duration of occupation, χ2 (3) =89.67, P < 0.001. Of all participants, 90.2% got injured of which the majority had incisional wounds (124; 61.1%). Of all participants, 55.1% suffered from skin infections of which the majority (28; 12.4%) had itching and redness of hands and legs. There was a significant association between skin infections and duration of occupation, χ2 (3) =140.53 as well as with the use of gloves (63.2% participants), χ2 (1) =20.395, P < 0.001.

Conclusions

Various measures including ergonomic solutions that women fish vendors can take to reduce these health hazards need to be addressed.

Work-related musculoskeletal disorders in vulnerable populations: what are the most common body parts affected?

BACKGROUND

Studies investigating vulnerable populations have shown that work-related musculoskeletal disorders have a negative impact on quality of life. However, no study has examined the body regions commonly affected by work-related musculoskeletal disorders in vulnerable populations.

OBJECTIVE

To describe the body regions commonly affected by work-related musculoskeletal disorders in vulnerable populations.

METHODS

Cross-sectional study. We used the ABEP questionnaire, the World Health Organization Quality of Life, the Nordic Musculoskeletal Disorders Questionnaire, the Perceived Stress Scale, and a self-report questionnaire to determine morning-evening in human circadian rhythms (chronotype assessment). To reduce the possibility of information bias, we provided prior training in the use of the instruments and created an electronic database that was filled out in duplicate (in cases of disagreement, a third researcher was consulted). We tested the normality of the data using the Shapiro-Wilk test.

RESULTS

The sample consisted of 132 participants, but there was a sample loss of 41.6% (final sample n = 77). We observed the predominance of those who worked from 6 to 8 h/day, rest of 1 h during the working day, from 1 to 10 years of service and only 1 employment relationship. Regarding the quality of life, we observed a worse result in the domain related to the environment, as well as a stress level of 15.43 (± 7.52) with a maximum of 30. Finally, we observed the presence of pain self-reported by the artisanal fishermen in several regions of the body, lumbar being the most mentioned.

CONCLUSION

The neck, shoulders, arms, elbows, forearms, wrists, back, lumbar spine, and lower limbs are the most common parts of the body affected by work-related musculoskeletal disorders in artisanal fishermen.

Quality of life in working populations with and without musculoskeletal pain in Saudi Arabia

BACKGROUND

Musculoskeletal (MSK) pain can negatively affect work life and quality of life (QoL).

OBJECTIVE

This study characterizes the QoL of workers in Saudi Arabia and compares it between adults of working age with and without MSK pain.

METHODS

This is a descriptive cross-sectional study. The Short Form-36 (SF-36) instrument was used to measure eight domains that describe QoL among workers with and without MSK pain. Descriptive statistics and parametric tests enabled comparisons between the two sets of workers.

RESULTS

A total of 2042 workers participated in the study. The majority of them had experienced MSK pain during the last 12 months. In addition, the results for most SF-36 domains varied significantly across age and gender groups. Workers who lacked MSK pain over the last 12 months reported higher means for all SF-36 domains, with the exception of the physical function domains.

CONCLUSION

This study found that the majority of workers experience MSK pain. In all bodily regions, neck and back pain are the most frequently reported areas of discomfort for these employees. Workers without MSK pain experience better QoL. This observation suggests the need for managers to pay closer attention to workers with MSK pain, as these employees experience significantly lower QoL. To prevent or reduce MSK pain, workers should undergo routine medical examination and early intervention for MSK pain. These preventative measures can help to increase workers' QoL.

Risk Assessment in Artisanal Fisheries in Developing Countries: A Systematic Review

INTRODUCTION

Artisanal fisheries generally do not have injury prevention plans and safety or quality management systems on board, thus making them prone to more fatal and nonfatal injuries. The objective of the study is to systematically review and synthesize the literature to identify the risks of injuries (fatal and nonfatal) and health problems in artisanal fisheries in developing countries.

METHODS

A systematic literature search was carried out from December 2019 to March 2020. Articles were included with at least 1 outcome of interest (fatal injuries, nonfatal injuries, health problems, causal factors). In all, 18 articles on occupational safety and health aspects in artisanal fisheries from developing countries were kept for final analysis.

RESULTS

Of the 4 studies on fatal injuries, only 1 reported fatal incidence rates (14 per 1,000 person-years). Vessel disasters were the most common cause of fatal injuries, with 14.3%-81% drownings. The prevalence of nonfatal injuries was between 55% and 61%. The most common causes were falls on the deck or into the sea/river, blows from objects/tools, punctures and cuts by fishhooks/fish rays and fishing equipment, and animal attacks or bites. Health problems included eye, ear, cardiovascular (hypertension), respiratory (decompression sickness), dermatological, and musculoskeletal problems.

DISCUSSION

There is a serious gap of health and safety information in artisanal fishery, which is more extensive in developing countries. Epidemiological studies are needed with comparable incidence and prevalence rates. For adequate prevention and compliance with the UN sustainable goals, there is an urgent need to establish a health information system in the countries to register the relevant demographic and epidemiologic characteristics of the population.

Prevalence of Musculoskeletal Disorders and Self-Reported Pain in Artisanal Fishermen from a Traditional Community in Todos-os-Santos Bay, Bahia, Brazil

Musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) can be characterized from their occupational etiology and their occurrence; their chronicity generates negative repercussions for the health of workers, especially of artisanal fishing. To investigate the prevalence of generalized musculoskeletal disorders by body region and self-reported pain in a fishing population of northeastern Brazil, an epidemiological cross-sectional study was carried out in Santiago do Iguape, Bahia-Brazil, in 2017. The Brazilian version of the Nordic Musculoskeletal Questionnaire (NMQ), in addition to a questionnaire containing the socio-demographic and labor conditions were applied to a random stratified sample of 248 artisanal fisheries. There were 170 female shellfish gatherers and 78 fishermen, with a mean age of 36.7 years (SD = 10.5 years) and 43.3 years (SD = 11.8 years), respectively. The beginning of the labor activity was initiated at approximately 11 years of age. The average weekly income varied from 17.64 USD to 29.10 USD. The prevalence of MSD independent of occupation occurred in at least one body region in 93.5% and the presence of musculoskeletal pain/discomfort over the last seven days in 95.2% of the fishing workers. The highest prevalence of MSD was found in shellfish gatherers in: lower back (86.4%), wrist and hand (73.5%), and upper back (66.8%). In relation to the presence of pain in the last year, the frequency of pain was greater in the fishermen compared to the shellfish gatherers. The generalized severity of the MSD in 93.5% of this community of fishermen is evident, with emphasis in the following regions: lower back, wrist and hand and upper back in both groups, with occurrence of pain in more than one body region at the same time.

Functional health and perceived exertion in artisanal fishermen working offshore

INTRODUCTION:

Fishing is a common means of obtaining raw materials for the food industry and drives a large economic market.

OBJECTIVES:

This field study aimed to evaluate functional health and work overload in artisanal fishermen.

METHODS:

This cross-sectional study included 42 workers from Zone 18 fishing community in Passo de Torres, state of Santa Catarina, Brazil. The collected data included presence of pain and its location on a Corlett body diagram, pain severity measured with a visual analog scale, perceived exertion measured with a Borg scale, and grip and lumbar strength measured with dynamometers.

RESULTS:

Forty percent of fishermen had low back pain and 26% had low back muscle weakness. Perceived exertion was greater in the activity of pulling out the fishing net.

DISCUSSION:

This professional category requires greater attention with health policies that consider the actual context of their job.

Sintomas musculoesqueléticos em catadoras de marisco

Resumo Objetivo: estimar a prevalência de distúrbios musculoesqueléticos e de seus principais fatores de risco em catadoras de marisco em uma comunidade na Bahia. Métodos: estudo epidemiológico transversal descritivo, com dados coletados em 2017 e análise estatística descritiva. Resultados: foram entrevistadas 139 mulheres, com idade média de 44,3 anos: 66,9% casadas, 89,2% pardas/pretas, 93,5% com filhos, 57,6% com escolaridade até o fundamental incompleto, e com renda mensal média de R$ 234,00 (menos de US$ 60). Predominaram trabalhadoras que exerciam a ocupação por um período ≤30 anos (58,3%), com carga horária diária de até 6 horas (54,0%), sem pausa para almoçar (89,9%), que carregavam até 25 kg em um dia de trabalho (57,6%), por um período ≤60 minutos (73,5%), e que avaliaram as condições de trabalho como muito ruim/ruim (60,4%). Todas relataram dores musculoesqueléticas e as principais queixas foram na região das costas. Evidenciaram-se como fatores de risco: excesso de movimento, muito tempo de trabalho com sobrecarga nos membros superiores, falta de descanso e ritmo de trabalho acelerado. Conclusão: as catadoras de marisco estão expostas a fatores de risco que as predispõem a lesões por esforço repetitivo e doenças relacionadas ao trabalho, o que pode explicar a alta prevalência constatada.

Moderating Role of Perceived Social Support in the Relationship Between Emotion Regulation and Quality of Life in Chinese Ocean-Going Fishermen

Perceived social support (PSS) has been shown to be positively related to self-reported quality of life (QoL) as well as to emotion regulation strategy. In the present study, we compared a QoL index between Chinese fishermen (N = 507) and local villagers (N = 192) and examined whether PSS moderates the relationship between emotion regulation and QoL in our sample of Chinese ocean-going fishermen. Fishermen’s QoL was found to be poorer than that of local villagers. Structural equation modeling (SEM) confirmed that cognitive reappraisal of emotion regulation had a positive predictive effect on QoL, while expression suppression of emotion regulation had a negative predictive effect on QoL. Using, latent moderated structural equations (LMS), we further confirmed that PSS moderates the relationship between emotion regulation and QoL. Simple slope analysis revealed that emotional regulation can predict QoL in a high-PSS context but not in a low-PSS context.

Work Ability and Quality of Life in Patients with Work-Related Musculoskeletal Disorders

This study aimed to investigate level of work ability and quality of life (QOL) as well as the relationship between them among patients suffering from work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSDs) in Taiwan. A cross-sectional study design with continuous sampling and a questionnaire were used to obtain the research data. Controlling for personal characteristics, pain, psychological distress, and social support, multiple linear regressions were adopted to explore the relationship between work ability and overall QOL. Further analyses were also made to clarify the relationships between work ability and each domain of QOL. In total, 165 patients with WMSDs were recruited. Compared with general workers, the participants reported a lower level of work ability and overall QOL. Work ability was significantly associated with overall QOL when covariates were controlled. Among the four domains of QOL, work ability was significantly associated with both the physical and psychological domains. The conclusion was that work ability is a definite factor of QOL for patients with WMSDs; the essence of work ability may be beyond economic function or social support. Strategies to help workers with WMSDs enhance their work ability to fit their new or temporary jobs would be beneficial to their QOL.

Factors associated with perceived quality of life in artisanal fishermen: a cross-sectional study

Objective

To analyze a combination of socioeconomic and demographic characteristics, chronotype, stress perception and level of physical activity with the perception of quality of life in artisanal fishermen.

Results

Several variables were associated with lower scores of quality of life domains: workload (P = 0.047), age (P = 0.01), economic class D–E (P = 0.04) and perceived stress scores (P = 0.01) for scores physical domain; workload (P = 0.03) and perceived stress (P < 0.001) for scores psychological domain; Perceived stress (P < 0.001) and age (P = 0.01) for social domain scores; economic class D–E (P = 0.03) and perceived stress (P = 0.01) for environment domain scores; perceived stress (P = 0.01) and age (P = 0.01) for general quality of life scores and; female sex (P = 0.04) and age (P = 0.02) for the score of satisfaction with quality of life.

Factors associated with musculoskeletal disorders in artisanal fisherwomen/shellfish gatherers in Saubara, Bahia, Brazil

This article aims to identify the factors associated with musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) in the neck/shoulder and distal upper limb in artisanal fisher/shellfish gatherers in Saubara, Bahia, Brazil. This cross-sectional epidemiological study was conducted with shellfish gatherers. The Brazilian version of the Job Content Questionnaire (JCQ), the Nordic Musculoskeletal Questionnaire (NMQ), and a questionnaire containing physical demands adapted to the labour of shellfish gatherers were used in this study. Factor analysis was performed to aggregate the physical demands. Multivariate analyses were performed according to the risk factors for MSDs in the neck or shoulder and MSDs in the distal upper limb. For MSDs in the neck or shoulders, a prevalence ratio (PR) of 1.28 (95% confidence interval [95% CI]: 1.09-1.49) was found, according to the aggregate physical demands. For MSDs in the distal upper limb, the PRs were as follows: 1.26 (95% CI: 1.07-1.47) according to the daily hours devoted to work as shellfish gatherers, 0.74 (95% CI: 0.57-0.96) according to the development of other current work and 1.38 (95% CI: 1.05-1.83) according to the aggregate physical demands. The activities performed by shellfish gatherers contribute to the occurrence of MSDs.

Prevalence and Work-Related Factors Associated with Lower Back Musculoskeletal Disorders in Female Shellfish Gatherers in Saubara, Bahia-Brazil

Lower back musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) are an important public health problem and the leading cause of disability worldwide, but with yet unknown prevalence among shellfish gatherers. To investigate the prevalence and work-related factors associated with lower back MSD in a population of female shellfish gatherers, an epidemiological cross-sectional study was carried out in Saubara, Bahia-Brazil, in 2013. The Brazilian version of the Job Content Questionnaire (JCQ) and the Nordic Musculoskeletal Questionnaire (NMQ), in addition to a questionnaire containing the physical demands adapted to the artisanal work, were applied to a random sample of 209 female shellfish gatherers. The prevalence of lower back MSD was 72.7%. Using multivariate logistic regression, the shellfish gatherers who had worked for more than 26 years in the activity showed a prevalence of 1.22 (95% CI: 1.04–1.44) times higher compared to those unexposed. Lower back MSD was 1.24 (95% CI: 1.08–1.42) times higher among those more exposed to work sitting with trunk flexion. Those performed manual handling and muscle force with the arms had a prevalence ratio of 1.18 (95% CI: 1.01–1.39). These results show the need for greater awareness of health and social welfare factors impacting workers in small-scale fisheries and will promote the elaboration of health care policies for this occupational class.

Vigilância em saúde do trabalhador da pesca artesanal na Baía de Todos os Santos: da invisibilidade à proposição de políticas públicas para o Sistema Único de Saúde (SUS)

Resumo Introdução: pescadores são uma das maiores e mais tradicionais categorias de trabalhadores no mundo. Para reduzir lacunas do conhecimento sobre os problemas de saúde relacionados a essa atividade e desenvolver ações com o Sistema Único de Saúde (SUS), em 2006 foram iniciados estudos e ações dirigidos aos trabalhadores da pesca artesanal e mariscagem, envolvendo 13 municípios, na Baía de Todos os Santos, nos estado da Bahia. Objetivo: discutir resultados alcançados em intervenções e estudos realizados, para subsidiar ações de vigilância em saúde do trabalhador (Visat) da pesca. Métodos: foram referidos e discutidos estudos qualitativos e quantitativos desenvolvidos a partir de pesquisa participativa de base comunitária. Resultados: os estudos e intervenções revelaram as condições de trabalho e os riscos ocupacionais dessa atividade, sobretudo a exposição excessiva a movimentos repetitivos, e possibilitaram a quantificação da prevalência das lesões por esforço repetitivo e distúrbio osteomuscular relacionado ao trabalho (LER/Dort). Também contribuíram para analisar a qualidade de vida desses trabalhadores, a organização dos serviços de diagnóstico, a adaptação de protocolo clínico de LER/Dort e a capacitação das Equipes da Estratégia Saúde da Família atuantes em territórios pesqueiros. Conclusão: os estudos e as intervenções indicaram a possibilidade de reprodutibilidade desta experiência no âmbito da Visat no SUS.

Artisanal fisherwomen/shellfish gatherers: analyzing the impact of upper limb functioning and disability on health-related quality of life

The aim is to analyze upper limb functioning and disability, and its association with health-related quality of life among artisanal fisherwomen from Bahia, Brazil. Cross-sectional epidemiological study was conducted with a sample of 209 fisherwomen. Structured questionnaires were used for socio-demographic and comorbidity information, as well as the instruments Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand (DASH) and Short-Form Healthy Survey (SF-36) respectively, to evaluate the upper limbs and health-related quality of life. The results demonstrated that the presence of musculoskeletal disorders in the upper limbs directly affects the values of the DASH instrument and the SF-36v01 questionnaire scores, while also generating a negative correlation between the DASH and SF-36v01. The varying functioning abilities, pain and social aspects negatively affect upper limb function, and the daily activities and work of fisherwomen. The presence of chronic disease and the absence of intervention and rehabilitation for these professionals, that could produces, in a long-term, cases of disability.