Small-scale Activities Research Articles

Penerapan Sistem Point Of Sale Berbasis Android Untuk Peningkatan Kinerja Usaha

Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises in Presidential Decree No. 99 of 1988 are small-scale people's economic activities with business fields that are mostly small business activities. However, in MSMEs, there are several types of obstacles including data collection of stock of goods, transaction reports and financial statements that are not effective and efficient. Therefore, researchers want to change the way store management uses modern methods by designing a point of sale system as an android-based platform for MSMEs Established Stores. Point of Sales systems help various retail businesses make buying and selling transactions quickly, safely, and systematically. POS also includes modern cash registers commonly used in some stores or businesses. The design of this system uses technology from Firebase, namely the Realtime Database feature. The result of this study is an android-based point of sale application. Point of sale applications can simplify the management process at Established Stores. This can be seen from the system testing with the blackbox method which gets good results and all functions run well

A responsible mining approach to the economic modeling of small-scale gold mining

Artisanal mining, known as “garimpo” in Brazil, is a legal activity predicted in the Brazilian mining code. However, society's concern over the sustainable development of the Amazon rainforest and media coverage of illegal gold extraction have had the effect of marginalizing and condemning the sector as a whole. Known in the international literature as small-scale and artisanal gold mining (ASGM), this sector involves millions of miners across the world and hundreds of thousands in Brazil, who make a living from it, feed their families, and foster local economies. However, ASGM miners use techniques and operating procedures that, if not controlled, mitigated and eventually replaced, could lead to significant social and environmental impacts. There are growing concerns over ASGM activities, and buyers, investors, and industrial sectors are willing to pay more for a product created in a responsible manner. However, questions remain as to how much the transition to a responsible operation would cost, and whether buyers would really be willing to pay for it. This research presents a proposal for the economic modeling of ASGM operations based on immersive work in three cooperatives of legal ASGM miners in Brazil. The proposed approach considers the SDGs (United Nations Sustainable Development Goals) of the 2030 agenda, as applied to small-scale mining, and the corresponding actions that are needed, based on a detailed survey of the costs of the analyzed operations, with the aim of guiding small-scale mining activities towards greater responsibility and sustainability. In the proposed model, the average profit obtained from mining operations is guaranteed and the size of the bonus reverts to the responsible areas surveyed. A financial analysis based on our responsible model, which was developed for the cash flow for a hypothetical operation over 10 years, yields an IRR of 54 % and a payback of 2.54 years, thus demonstrating its economic viability.

Determination of mercury in soil and water from a gold mining area in Karang Jaya Sub-district, Musi Rawas Utara, Indonesia

The present study focuses on the assessment of Hg distribution in both soil and water samples from the small-scale gold mining region of Karang Jaya Sub-district, Musi Rawas Utara Regency, South Sumatra Province. For over 30 years, this region has witnessed persistent utilization of mercury as an amalgam for gold extraction. The investigation encompasses an analysis of total mercury levels in soil samples obtained from Sukamenang, Muara Batang Empu, and Terusan Villages. As a comparative reference point devoid of gold mining activities, the neighboring Muara Lakitan Village was selected. The obtained results indicate a moderate to strong contamination level across the 30 sampled locations based on the Geoaccumulation Index (Igeo), with an average Igeo value of 2.6. Furthermore, Pollution Load Index (PLI) and Contamination Factor (CF) values demonstrate high contamination. Conversely, analysis of river water samples from 30 stations along the Rupit River reveals that most of the samples comply with quality standards (<0.0005 mg/L), with an average value at 0.000322 mg/L; only four stations exhibit total Hg concentrations surpassing regulatory thresholds. All soil and river water samples from the control area (10 stations) exhibited no signs of pollution. Appropriate investments in technology, finance, and technical skills are needed to reduce mercury pollution due to small-scale gold mining activities.

Mercury removal by Aquarius palifolius (Nees & Mart.) Christenh. & Byng: Isotherms model, superoxide dismutase activity, and chlorophyll content

Mercury is one of the heavy metals that became a global threat in this industrialization era. Artisanal and Small-Scale Gold Mining activities are the leading cause of this mercury pollution. Sustainable and environmentally friendly methods can be a solution to overcome this problem. Bioremediation methods use plants with defense mechanisms against mercury, namely Mexican sword plants or Aquarius palifolius, which is a promising solution. This research aimed to analyze the isotherm model of mercury content in A. palifolius in the Free Water Surface-Constructed Wetland (FWS-CW) reactor using the Langmuir and Freundlich isotherm equations; analyzed the activity of antioxidant enzymes in A. palifolius such as Superoxide dismutase (SOD); and also analyzed the effect of mercury stress on chlorophyll levels in A. palifolius. This research shows that the mercury phytoremediation process by A. palifolius is more suitable with the Langmuir isotherm model. There are no significant differences in SOD activity and chlorophyll levels between A. palifolius with and without mercury concentration. This indicates that A. palifolius is a hyperaccumulator plant that can survive in mercury stress conditions and even remove mercury from contaminated water.

Soil and environment quality in artisanal small-scale mining areas in western Côte d’Ivoire

Artisanal small-scale gold mining activities grow in different regions of Côte d’Ivoire, causing enormous soil and environmental damages. This study was conducted in the vicinity of illegal artisanal small-scale gold mining zones to investigate soil quality using environmental assessment tools, mainly pollution and geochemical accumulation indexes. The mining spoil from artisanal pits was sampled directly between 0 and 20 cm, collecting 500 g of soil per sampling point. Sub-samples of soil were analyzed for multi-element using X-ray fluorescence technique. The results of the XRF analysis revealed higher trace element levels at some sampling points than the recommended levels. High arsenic concentrations were identified at three sampling sites: cavally sites with 7.09 and 16.08 mg kg-1 and Zérégbo with 9.57 mg kg-1. Moreover, significant concentrations of Cu and Pb were found at the Cavally site whilst Singouiné and Zérégbo showed high concentrations of Co and Cr. The study, globally, revealed the environmental hazards caused by the organized artisanal mining.

Prenatal arsenic and mercury levels among women practicing geophagy in areas with artisanal and small-scale gold mining activities, Northwestern Tanzania

BackgroundArtisanal and small-scale gold mining (ASGM) areas potentially pose increased exposure to arsenic and mercury through community contamination, occupations at gold mines, and/or geophagy when soil is locally sourced. This study examined the effects of geophagy, a deliberate soil eating practice, along with community and occupational exposures in ASGM areas on urinary arsenic and blood mercury levels among pregnant women in the Mining and Health Longitudinal Cohort in northwestern Tanzania.MethodsData on maternal arsenic and mercury levels were captured for 1056 pregnant women using an unprovoked morning urine samples and dried blood spots respectively. We used a step-wise generalized linear regression model to retain the most relevant covariates for the model. A generalized linear regression model with identity link function was used to predict the effect of geophagy practices on arsenic and mercury levels separately. The model was adjusted using sociodemographic correlates, including maternal age, education level, whether respondents lived in mining or non-mining area, years of residence, marital status, maternal occupation, individual partner’s education, and occupational, and socioeconomic status.ResultsIn the adjusted regression model, eating soil during pregnancy increased arsenic concentration by almost 23% (β = 1.229, 95% CI: 1.094, 1.38, p < 0.001) and living in mining areas had a 21.2% (β = 1.212; 95% CI: 1.039,1.414, p = 0.014) increased risk. Geophagy significantly increased mercury levels by 13.3% (β = 1.133, 95% CI: 1.022, 1.257, p = 0.018). Living in areas with ASGM activities was associated with a 142% (β = 2.422, 95% CI: 2.111, 2.776, p < 0.0001) increase in blood mercury.ConclusionGeophagy practices increased urinary arsenic and blood mercury levels in pregnant women, which was especially true for arsenic when living in areas with ASGM activities. Working in mining = increased risk for blood mercury levels. Community-based environmental health policies should address reductions in occupational and community exposures, along with strategic geophagy reduction interventions.

Farmers' coping strategies to artisanal small-scale mining activities: welfare improvement or deterioration in Asutifi North District of Ghana?

PurposeIn Ghana, legal and illegal artisanal small-scale mining (ASM) activities have attracted the attention of the general populace and academia with varied opinions. This study examined how adopting the coping strategies for ASM operations affected the welfare of farm households.Design/methodology/approachPrimary data were solicited from respondents using a semi-structured questionnaire. This paper used the endogenous treatment effect model to quantitatively estimate whether or not farmers who adopt coping strategies for activities of ASM have improved or deteriorated welfare.FindingsThe results revealed that households adopted coping strategies such as diversification, social networking, land reclamation, borrowing, dependence on the market for food and resettlement in other communities. The endogenous treatment effect model results show that households that adopted land reclamation and social networking had improved welfare regarding consumption expenditure and food security compared to non-adopters. Conversely, diversification was associated with lower consumption expenditures and high food insecurity among adopters.Practical implicationsThis paper recommends that farm households in mining communities form cooperatives and farmer-based organizations to ensure improved access to joint resources for enhanced capacity to cope with ASM-induced shocks. There is a need for government and civil society organizations to encourage and support land reclamation measures.Originality/valueThis paper covers a broader perspective and deploys more than one welfare proxy, which has not been considered before in previous studies.

Diversification of small-scale fishing activities in exploring entrepreneurial opportunities along the tourism value chain in South Africa

Diversification of small-scale fishing activities in exploring entrepreneurial opportunities along the tourism value chain in South Africa

Analysis of The Effectiveness of Fiscal Policy in Driving the Regional Economy: Case Study in South Sulawesi Province, Indonesia

This research investigates the relationship between fiscal policy, as implemented by the Indonesian government, and the economic growth of the South Sulawesi province. The economic landscape in Sulawesi is characterized by small-scale activities, primarily centered around resource extraction, agriculture, and fishing. The study aims to analyze the impact of fiscal policies on regional economic development in South Sulawesi, focusing on government budget allocation, infrastructure spending, social welfare programs, and tax policies. The research employs a quantitative approach, utilizing regression analysis to examine the causal relationships between fiscal policy variables and regional economic indicators. The results indicate a significant influence of fiscal policy and its effectiveness on the regional economy, emphasizing the importance of tailored fiscal strategies for sustainable economic growth. The findings offer valuable insights for policymakers at both regional and national levels to formulate effective economic policies aligned with the specific needs of the South Sulawesi province. Moreover, the study contributes to the broader literature on fiscal policy effectiveness, particularly within the context of regional economies.

Palynological study of archaeometallurgical artefacts from the Late Bronze Age copper smelting sites (Georgia): First results

This article focuses on the palynological (pollen and non-pollen palynomorphs) study of material found with artefacts from Late Bronze Age archaeometallurgical sites in the Lechkhumi area of the mountainous south-west Caucasus region of ancient Colchis. The analysis of organic residues recovered from voids in slag and crucible fragments have revealed an abundance of pollen and spores of diverse plant taxa. Many non-palynological palynomorphs were also found. In total, more than 50 palynomorphs were identified. It was observed that the chemical composition of the copper smelting slag fragments has contributed to the good preservation of the pollen grains, though detailed chemical analyses and experiments are needed. The spectrum from slag includes taxa that are more poorly preserved in sediments, including soil. This preservation undoubtedly makes palynological research of slag residues promising in the future. The range of fossilized plants and spores recovered proves that during the Late Bronze Age in Lechkhumi, forests dominated by chestnut (Castanea sativa) occupied a much larger area than today. Other thermophilic trees, such as zelkva (Zelkova carpinifolia), oak (Quercus), lime (Tilia), and hornbeam (Carpinus betulus) were also present. Thermophilic ferns thrived in the undergrowth as well. In the 13th–9th centuries BC, the existence of warmer climatic conditions in Lechkhumi compared to that we have now is additionally confirmed by the presence of freshwater thermophilic algae Pseudoschizaea, Spirogyra and other Zygnemataceae found in the spectra. Spores of bracken fern (Pteridium aquilinum) and fungus Ustulina most probably reflect felling and human exploitation of the woodland in the close neighbourhood of the site. Comparison of palynological and wood charcoal analyses has demonstrated that the metallurgists of that time used the nearby woods as a source of fuel. Thanks to favourable climatic conditions, beside copper smelting some small-scale agricultural activities were performed which was visible in the composition of herbaceous plant taxa.

Strengthening Pedagogical Content Knowledge in Designing Laboratory Activity Based on Small-Scale Chemistry Practicum Approach

&lt;p style="text-align:justify"&gt;The purpose of this research is to strengthen pedagogical content knowledge (PCK) in designing laboratory activities based on small-scale chemistry approaches. This research is action research involving 60 trainee teachers with stages that include (a) Reflect; (b) Plan; (c) Act; (d) Observe; (e) Reflect (2nd); (f) Plan (2nd). Qualitative data were collected through (a) Questionnaires reflecting on experiences in practicing chemistry learning and responses to the importance of learning, (b) a Portfolio of chemistry practicum design, (c) documentation of the process of carrying out design, implementation, and practicum evaluation activities, (d) field notes, (e) reflection sheet, and (f) Portfolio of follow-up plans. The data is displayed through the R computation system with data pre-processing stages in the teacher's reflection text which includes basic cleaning, case folding, normalization, stemming, and deleting meaningless words. Display data in the form of word clouds, frequency expression diagrams, and tabulations. Descriptive narratives are used to analyze the documentation obtained in the action process. The teacher group demonstrated performance in implementing small-scale practicum activities. Teachers are increasingly skilled in modifying conventional laboratory equipment, minimizing the amount of chemical use, minimizing waste disposal, and increasing efficiency in the duration of practicum implementation. The follow-up plan for this activity includes quality improvement in aspects of (a) skill in using laboratory equipment, (b) understanding of chemical concepts, (c) equipment availability, materials, and work procedures, and (d) implementation of chemistry practicum.&lt;/p&gt;

Positive impact of digital reading on social anxiety disorders among college students

BackgroundSocial anxiety disorder is a mental illness that often occurs in adolescents or early adulthood. When engaging in social interactions, students may feel shy, embarrassed, and uneasy, and thus unwilling to socialize in public. All leads to a gradual decline in their social functions. Many factors including growth environment, genetic factors, levels of neurotransmitters and hormones, as well as certain psychological shocks contribute to social anxiety disorders. In order to explore more treatment and intervention methods for social anxiety disorder, the impact mechanism and effectiveness of digital reading promotion activities in university libraries on college students’ social anxiety disorder were analyzed.Subjects and Methods120 college students with social anxiety disorder in a certain university were randomly divided into an experimental group and a control group. The experimental group participated in digital reading promotion activities in the university library. Before and after treatment, the patients were evaluated using Symptom Checklist 90 (SCL-90), Liebowitz Social Anxiety Scale (LSAS), and Hamilton Anxiety Scale (HAMA).ResultsAfter participating in reading promotion activities, the scores of the Hamilton Anxiety Scale, Social Anxiety Scale, and Symptom Checklist in the experimental group were lower than those before participation (P&lt;0.05), and the difference was statistically significant.ConclusionsDigital reading promotion activities have a positive impact on social anxiety disorders among college students. Small-scale reading activities can encourage students to go out and socialize, help students establish confidence, help them change their irrational cognition, and overcome psychological fears.Acknowledgement2016 Tianjin education planning project (No. vesp3003).

Heavy Metal Contamination in Topsoil in Mining-Plagued Communities in the Amansie West District, Ghana

ABSTRACT This study was conducted in five randomly selected small-scale mining communities in the Amansie West District of Ashanti Region, Ghana to assess the impacts of small-scale mining activities on heavy metal presence in three different land use types (mined site, farmland and forest area). Using a random sampling design, a total of 60 soil samples were collected from 0–20 cm depth and analyzed for soil heavy metals: arsenic (As), cadmium (Cd), lead (Pb), mercury (Hg) and copper (Cu) using Two-way ANOVA. Heavy metal concentrations for As (5.571 mg/kg), Cd (0.002 mg/kg), Cu (1.158 mg/kg), Pb (0.076 mg/kg) in the communities did not exceed the FAO/WHO permissible limits with the exception of Hg concentrations for the respective communities (0.68 mg/kg, 1.07 mg/kg, 1.26 mg/kg, 1.28 mg/kg, 17.03 mg/kg) whose levels were 2.3 to 56.8 times higher than FAO/WHO permissible limits (0.3 mg/kg). The distribution of heavy metals in the soil was not uniform across the different land use types in the mining landscape. Differences in heavy metal concentrations were significant (p < .05) at the community, land use and their interaction (community*land use) levels with the exception of As concentration at the land use level (p > .05). The study concludes that soils of the major land use types in the study area (mined sites, farmlands and forest area) are all contaminated by Hg accumulation. Therefore, effective rehabilitation of mined sites in mining-plagued-communities should include measures for removing mercury from the soil.

O.1.2-7 Optimization of older adults home spaces

Abstract Purpose There is a lack of studies focused explicitly on the impact of the home physical environment on older adults’ sedentary behaviour (SB) and physical activity (PA). Therefore, the present study aims to investigate older adults’ perception of their home environment and its impact on their PA and SB. Methods A qualitative exploratory research design, based on in-depth interviews (IDIs) and focus groups discussions (FGDs) with older adults was conducted from 1st August 2022 to 31st December 2022. We identified four major themes: (I) Home layout and PA, (II) Space designation within the home, (III) Electronic equipment, furniture and material within the home space, (IV) Changing infrastructure within the home space. We analysed the data through reflexive thematic analysis using NVivo 10 software. Results Older adults valued the physical environment, and they managed their indoor space to control environment by structuring and restructuring to make it conducive for PA. Outdoor space such as garden was also an important factor for older adults’ PA. Moreover, older adults being autonomous and without any restrictions spent a substantial amount of time on utilizing electronic media. Further modification (such as adaptive aids, modification in the bathroom and etc) within the home space assist them in daily activities. Conclusion The findings suggest that both indoor and outdoor space play an important role in enhancing PA level and minimizing SB. Although space is important but how space is used, and its intention of use is also very crucial. The study finding also supported and recommended the notion of ‘think small for large effects’ within the home space. Instead of building the indoor facilities (such as indoor gyms, swimming pool and etc) older adults should mapped out small-scale activities such as avoiding screens in bedroom or removing clutter to increase space for activity.

Designing dynamic groundwater management strategies through a composite groundwater vulnerability model: Integrating human-related parameters into the DRASTIC model using LightGBM regression and SHAP analysis

Groundwater nitrate contamination has emerged as a pressing global concern. Given its potential for long-term impacts on aquifers, protective measures should primarily focus on prevention. Drawing on the theory of groundwater vulnerability (GV), the original DRASTIC model and parameters related to human activities are employed as inputs and integrated with the LightGBM regression algorithm to facilitate nitrate index (NI) prediction tasks. The SHAP analysis is conducted to effectively examine the contribution of parameters to the NI prediction and interpret the issue of parameter interactions. In addition, to mitigate the limitations of the intrinsic GV model, a composite nitrate index (CNI) is developed by linearly combining the DRASTIC index with the NI. The framework presented in this study provides adaptive strategies for managing groundwater resources over different time periods. A representative region for arid and semiarid climates, the Yinchuan region, is studied using the framework. As compared to 2012, the intrinsic GV index has changed spatially in 2022. Human activities have increased the influence of the nitrate concentration as shown by the Pearson correlation coefficient of −0.082 between the DRASTIC index and nitrate concentration. A significant increase in pollution levels was predicted by NI, ranging from −0.116 to 0.968. According to SHAP analysis, the significant increase in NI levels in 2022 was mainly due to high-value industrial and agricultural production. In 2022, 12.02% of the areas had an increase of at least 0.549 in the CNI. 42.1% of the areas were classified as moderate or high CNI levels. The farm was identified as a high-contributing source to nitrate pollution. The small-scale agricultural and livestock activities in non-urban areas also contribute to groundwater pollution. Dynamic groundwater management strategies need to be implemented in high-growth and high-level CNI areas.

Hydrogeochemistry and Mercury Contamination of Surface Water in the Lom Gold Basin (East Cameroon): Water Quality Index, Multivariate Statistical Analysis and Spatial Interpolation

Artisanal and small-scale gold mining activities have an impact on natural resources and human health. This study addresses the assessment of surface water quality in the Lom gold basin. A combined approach of water quality index calculation, multivariate statistical analysis and spatial interpolation was used. Sampling was performed at 15 stations during low- and high-water periods in 2021 for classical physicochemical parameters and total mercury measurements. The results show that the physicochemical parameters were below drinking water standards for both periods, except for pH, total suspended solids and total mercury. These waters show a large cation deficit as well as an anion deficit. The water chemistry is controlled by precipitations and silicate dissolutions in rock that convert the water into the Ca-HCO3 and Ca-Mg-HCO3 types. The level of mercury contamination varied from acceptable to high due to high flow rates during high water that cause a dilution effect for the mercury concentration upstream and its accumulation downstream. The water quality varied from excellent to very poor with better quality during the high-water period. The Lom watershed is locally affected by physical and chemical pollution due to the abundance of suspended solids and mercury resulting from the different gold mining activities.

Riparian vegetation response amid variable climate conditions across the Upper Gila River watershed: informing Tribal restoration priorities

Riparian systems across the Southwest United States are extremely valuable for the human and ecological communities that engage with them. However, they have experienced substantial changes and stresses over the past century, including non-native vegetation expansion, vegetation die-offs, and increased fire activity. Vegetation management approaches, such as ecological restoration, may address some of these stressors as well as reduce the risk of future impacts. We apply remote sensing to inform restoration priorities along the upper Gila River within the San Carlos Apache Reservation and Upper Gila River watershed. First, we develop a spatially and temporally explicit trend analysis across three observed climate periods (1985–1993, 1993–2014, 2014–2021) using the Landsat-derived indices to quantify changes in riparian vegetation conditions. These maps can be used to identify areas potentially more at risk for degradation. Second, we analyze changes in riparian vegetation within a climate framework to better understand trends and the potential effect of climate change. Vegetation greenness has largely increased throughout the watershed despite intensifying drought conditions across our study period, though areas within the lower watershed have shown increased stress and higher rates of wildfire and other disturbances over the past 5-years. Nevertheless, small-scale restoration activities appear to show improving vegetation conditions, suggesting efficacy of these restoration activities. Results from this study may be integrated with restoration objectives to develop a restoration plan that will help riparian vegetation communities adapt to change.

Green Gold Production from Primary and Secondary Resources

The exceptional chemical resistance of gold is a significant property of this precious metal, but it can pose challenges when it comes to gold extraction. Many metallurgical processes rely on highly aggressive or toxic reagents, and artisanal and small-scale gold mining activities, in particular, have faced criticism due to their difficult-to-control environmental impact. With growing ecological concerns, society and industry are compelled to seek efficient gold recovery methods that replace the use of mercury or cyanide. Over the past decades, extensive research has been conducted on alternative leaching reagents, showing promising technical and environmental characteristics. Various demonstration and pilot-scale application tests worldwide have provided valuable insights for potential industrial implementation. However, to date, only one industrial-scale application using the cyanide alternative thiosulfate has been reported. Apart from chlorination or aqua regia in refineries and recycling specific waste streams, there is a lack of notable industrial applications for cyanide alternatives, particularly in gold recycling from secondary resources. This is significant as it could have a substantial ecological impact by reducing the need for mining activities. For instance, electronic waste, which is increasing in volume and importance, represents a resource for gold recovery but lacks an efficient decentralized process. This work discusses the potential of cyanide alternative reagents for industrial application in gold production and recycling, while exploring various factors that contribute to the limited acceptance among gold producers.

Performance of heat spots obtained from satellite datasets to represent burned areas in Andean ecosystems of Cusco, Peru

The combustion of biomass is a prevalent practice in the Andes. Often, these burns escape control and escalate into wildfires. However, the investigation of unreported fire incidents has not received the same level of attention as reported wildfires. Satellite provide an alternative information source for studying wildfires. Given the scarcity of wildfire response tools, it is imperative to develop strategies to prevent burns in regions where human activity typically triggers wildfires. This study aims to assess the efficacy of heat spot data obtained from satellite datasets in identifying fire activity in the Peruvian Andes. The study utilized MODIS (MCD14DL product) and VIIRS (SUOMI and JPSS-1 products) satellite datasets to characterize fire activity through heat spot detection. Additionally, the study employed the normalized burned area index (NBR), a valuable indicator for mapping burned areas. Our findings indicate that MODIS and VIIRS heat spots demonstrate a high level of reliability in detecting active fires (commission errors of ∼1%). However, the detection of burned areas not captured by MODIS or VIIRS heat spots was significantly high (omission errors of ∼90%). Nevertheless, this detection deficiency decreased for larger burn areas (errors of omission between 10 and 30% for burned areas between 50 and 100 ha, using JPSS-1 VIIRS). These results suggest that satellite heat spots are inadequate for identifying burn practices, which encompass small-scale and short-duration fire activities (lasting only hours). The outcomes of this study enhance our understanding of the suitability of heat spot detection for wildfire prevention in the Peruvian Andes.

Identification of Work-related Diseases in Small-scale Fishermen in Batam Island, Indonesia

Background: Small-scale fishermen's work activities are carried out in a marine environment which has the potential to cause certain work-related diseases. AIMS: This study aims to identify the incidence of work-related diseases among small-scale fishermen in Batam Island, Indonesia. Methods: This study used both quantitative and qualitative approaches involving 119 small-scale fishermen. Data was collected through questionnaires, observations, documentation, interviews, focus group discussions, and secondary data collection. Results: The results showed that all small-scale fishermen complained of diseases caused by threats in the chemical, physical, biological, psychological, and ergonomic factors group. Conclusion: Most fishermen complained about colds, fever, stings, blisters, skin allergies, and eye disorders/myopia. Most complaints were obtained from small-scale fishermen over 40 years old, especially the ones with smoking habits. Identification of work-related diseases was required to prevent and control the health problems that could endanger small-scale fishermen’s health and productivity.