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

Juliana Dos Santos Müller,Ila Rocha Falcão,Rita De Cássia Franco Rêgo,Denise Nunes Viola,Wendel Da Silva Viana,Ivone Batista Alves,Maria Carolina Barreto Moreira Couto,Courtney Georgette Woods

doi:10.1590/1413-812320172211.13392016

Abstract

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.

Highlights

IntroductionHuman functioning and disability are a dynamic interaction between health conditions (diseases, trauma, injuries and disorders) and contextual factors (including environmental and personal factors)[1]
Human functioning and disability are a dynamic interaction between health conditions and contextual factors[1]
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 (SF36) 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 valuesof the DASH instrument and the SF-36v01 questionnaire scores, while generating a negative correlation between the DASH and SF-36v01

Summary

Introduction

Human functioning and disability are a dynamic interaction between health conditions (diseases, trauma, injuries and disorders) and contextual factors (including environmental and personal factors)[1]. According to the World Health Organization[2], functioning refers to all bodily functions, activities and participation, while disability includes impairments and limitations of activity, and/or restrictions in social participation[3]. Based on these assumptions, it should be noted that the lifestyle and labor activity of a population is directly linked to maintaining functioning and human disability. In Brazil, according to Ministry of Fisheries and Aquaculture (MPA), there is an estimated one million artisanal fishers, and given Brazil’s geographic characteristics, fishers are found along the entire coastline of the country[5]. There is fishing and shellfish gathering in “Baía de Todos os Santos”, considered the second largest geographical accident of its kind in Brazil, the first being São Marco bay in Maranhão[6]

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Discussion

Conclusion