Abstract
Objective:
to understand the artisanal fisherwomen’s perception about the risks and health problems related to their work, as well as to the health promotion actions aimed at their activity.
Methods:
action research conducted with seven fisherwomen/shellfish gatherers of the Pacoti River, in Eusébio, state of Ceará, Brazil. Participants were interviewed at their home in 2019. The interviews were recorded, transcribed, and their content examined using discourse analysis.
Results:
our findings indicated that fisherwomen have low education and income levels, besides facing precarious working conditions in an inhospitable environment (mangrove). Although reporting falls, fractures, injuries, drownings, and symptoms of work-related musculoskeletal disorders, they do not consider that they are exposed to risks. They see these accidents as inherent to the production process and do not perceive their health problems as resulting from the working conditions to which they are subjected. They also do not identify the existence of health promotion actions aimed at fisherwomen and shellfish gatherers.
Conclusion:
the situations experienced and reported by the workers indicate that the local health service is not committed to occupational health yet. Brazilian Unified Health System (SUS) must advance in health promotion through education, surveillance, and healthcare, aimed at preventing artisanal fishing work-related diseases.
Keywords:
working women; occupational health; fishing; occupational risks; Unified Health System (SUS)