Health-Related Quality of Life among Artisanal Fisherwomen/Shellfish Gatherers

Lower than the General Population

Bibliographic Data

ID15460323
AuthorsJuliana Dos Santos Müller (0000-0002-8593-304X, Instituto Federal da Bahia, corresponding author), Ila Rocha Falcão (0000-0001-6961-3858, Universidade Federal da Bahia), Ila Falcão (Universidade Federal da Bahia), Maria Couto (Universidade Federal da Bahia), Maria Carolina Barreto Moreira Couto (0000-0002-7567-3221, Universidade Federal da Bahia), Wendel Da Silva Viana (0000-0003-4108-3933, Universidade Federal da Bahia), Wendel Viana (Universidade Federal da Bahia), Ivone Batista Alves (0000-0002-7328-5970, Universidade Federal da Bahia), Ivone Alves (Universidade Federal da Bahia), Denise Nunes Viola (0000-0001-8458-9489, Universidade Federal da Bahia), Denise Viola (Universidade Federal da Bahia), Courtney G Woods (0000-0001-6904-6451, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill), Courtney Woods (University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill), Rita De Cássia Franco Rêgo (0000-0002-0632-4546, Universidade Federal da Bahia), Rita Rêgo (Universidade Federal da Bahia)
Year2016
Volume13
Issue5
Pages466-466
Publication date2016-05-05
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueInternational Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 1661-7827 • E-ISSN: 1660-4601
PublisherMultidisciplinary Digital Publishing Institute (PUBLISHER • CH)
DOI10.3390/ijerph13050466
PMID27164118
OpenAlexW2346444439
LanguageEN
Citations received7
References cited13

Quality of life is an indicator of how well one perceives that he/she is functioning physically and mentally. The aim of this paper is to determine the health-related quality of life (HRQOL) of artisanal fisherwomen/shellfish gatherers from the Saubara municipality in Bahia, Brazil in comparison to the general population. A structured questionnaire was administered to a sample of 209 artisanal fisherwomen selected at random. The HRQOL questionnaire, known as the 36-Item Short-Form Health Survey version 1 (SF-36v01), was also used, having been translated and verified cross-culturally for the Brazilian population. Sociodemographic, lifestyle and comorbidity information was also collected. Chronic diseases and indicators of musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) were self-reported. The study population consisted primarily of individuals between 30 and 45 years of age (78%), of self-classified races black or brown (96.2%), with no more than an elementary school education (77%) and married (64.6%). In all the SF-36v01 dimensions, the values in the sample were lower than in the general population of Brazil, which was used as the reference population. In the "Physical Health" domain (Physical Functioning; Physical Role Limitations; Bodily Pain; General Health Perception) a tendency toward a lower health-related quality of life was observed among those who were older, had a lower education level, and had a prevalence of MSDs, hypertension or arthritis. The interference of health conditions linked to the fisherwomen's work activities may contribute to lower HRQOL in all analyzed aspects, in comparison to the general population. In light of these findings, public health policies must consider these informal workers who contribute greatly to Brazil's economy and food system

Environmental health · Population · Quality of life (healthcare · Demography · Medicine · Nursing · Occupational Health and Burnout · Occupational health in dentistry · Youth, Drugs, and Violence · Gerontology

Tools

Open DOISci-HubOpen Access