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

Author

Listed:
  • Juliana Dos Santos Müller

    (Department of Technology in Health and Biology, Federal Institute of Education, Science and Technology of Bahia, Salvador 40301-015, Brazil)

  • Ila Rocha Falcão

    (Post-Graduate Program in Health, Environment, and Work, School of Medicine, Federal University of Bahia, Salvador 40026-010, Brazil)

  • Maria Carolina Barreto Moreira Couto

    (Post-Graduate Program in Health, Environment, and Work, School of Medicine, Federal University of Bahia, Salvador 40026-010, Brazil)

  • Wendel Da Silva Viana

    (Post-Graduate Program in Health, Environment, and Work, School of Medicine, Federal University of Bahia, Salvador 40026-010, Brazil)

  • Ivone Batista Alves

    (Post-Graduate Program in Health, Environment, and Work, School of Medicine, Federal University of Bahia, Salvador 40026-010, Brazil)

  • Denise Nunes Viola

    (Departmentof Statistics, Institute of Mathematics, Federal University of Bahia, Salvador 40170-115, Brazil)

  • Courtney Georgette Woods

    (Department of Environmental Sciences and Engineering, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599-7431, USA)

  • Rita Franco Rêgo

    (Post-Graduate Program in Health, Environment, and Work, School of Medicine, Federal University of Bahia, Salvador 40026-010, Brazil)

Abstract

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.

Suggested Citation

  • Juliana Dos Santos Müller & Ila Rocha Falcão & Maria Carolina Barreto Moreira Couto & Wendel Da Silva Viana & Ivone Batista Alves & Denise Nunes Viola & Courtney Georgette Woods & Rita Franco Rêgo, 2016. "Health-Related Quality of Life among Artisanal Fisherwomen/Shellfish Gatherers: Lower than the General Population," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 13(5), pages 1-12, May.
  • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:13:y:2016:i:5:p:466-:d:69452
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    Citations

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    Cited by:

    1. Pablo Pita & Gillian Barbara Ainsworth & Bernardino Alba & Josep Alós & José Beiro & Pablo Martín-Sosa & Llibori Martínez & Begoña Marugán-Pintos & Beatriz Morales-Nin & Estanis Mugerza & Beatriz Niet, 2023. "Mind the Gender Gap in Marine Recreational Fisheries," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(14), pages 1-8, July.
    2. Yi-Fang Chang & Chang-Ming Yeh & Shu-Ling Huang & Chi-Chung Ho & Ren-Hau Li & Wei-Hsun Wang & Feng-Cheng Tang, 2020. "Work Ability and Quality of Life in Patients with Work-Related Musculoskeletal Disorders," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(9), pages 1-12, May.
    3. Juliana dos Santos Müller & Eduardo Mendes da Silva & Rita Franco Rego, 2022. "Prevalence of Musculoskeletal Disorders and Self-Reported Pain in Artisanal Fishermen from a Traditional Community in Todos-os-Santos Bay, Bahia, Brazil," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(2), pages 1-15, January.
    4. Maria Carolina Barreto Moreira Couto & Ila Rocha Falcão & Juliana dos Santos Müller & Ivone Batista Alves & Wendel da Silva Viana & Verônica Maria Cadena Lima & Paulo Gilvane Lopes Pena & Courtney Geo, 2019. "Prevalence and Work-Related Factors Associated with Lower Back Musculoskeletal Disorders in Female Shellfish Gatherers in Saubara, Bahia-Brazil," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 16(5), pages 1-15, March.

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