Indian Journal of Medicine and Healthcare

Open Access Open Access  Restricted Access Subscription Access

A Study on the Morbidity Profile among the Fishermen Community in Ennore Creek


Affiliations
1 Saveetha Medical College, Thandalam, Kanchipuram district, Tamilnadu, India
2 Karpagam Medical College, Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu, India
 

Aim: To study the morbidity profile of the fishermen community in the last six months residing in Ennore Creek, Bay of Bengal in India.

Settings and Design: A cross sectional study done among the fishing community in Ennore Creek which is located at the fringe area of North Chennai of Thiruvallur District, Tamilnadu.

Methods and Materials: This study was conducted among the fishing community in Ennore Creek which is located at the fringe area of North Chennai of Thiruvallur District, Tamilnadu. The cluster sampling method was adopted and 30 clusters were randomly selected by the probability proportionate to size (PPS) method. The structured questionnaire was used to collect information regarding details of the symptoms of the illness, duration of illness and observation of records regarding the illness. The study population included individuals with illness who are living in the nine fishing wards of Ennore Creek for the last six months.

Statistical analysis: Data entry and analysis was done using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 15 software. Descriptive statistics were calculated for the types of illness and their treatment seeking pattern.

Results: Among the 780 subjects who have had illness in the last six months, orthopaedic and musculoskeletal disorders were seemingly predominant in 112 (14.4%) subjects while respiratory diseases were reported by 106 (13.6%) subjects. In this study, 86 (11%) subjects suffered from systemic disorders. Gastrointestinal problems were found in 85 (10.9%) subjects while 76 (9.7%) of them were diagnosed with skin problems. ENT disorders were reported by 65 (8.3%) subjects while gynaecological problems were reported by 54 (6.9%) subjects and eye disorders were reported by 33(4.2%) subjects. Cardiovascular diseases were reported by 28 (3.6%) subjects while disorders in central nervous system were present in 27 (3.5%) subjects and genito - urinary disorders were reported by 20 (2.6%) subjects.

Conclusion: Fishing is not simply a job but it is a way of life with its own traditions and values. Globally, fishing community is one of the disadvantaged groups as it bears the denial of health care reforms in terms of receiving health care services. Knowledge and comprehensive understanding about their morbidity profile are essential to design of health care and environmental interventions according to the needs and priorities.

There is need to specifically target and improve the occupational lifestyle of fishermen. Various interventions like health promotion activities, education on environmental sanitation, measures for adoption of healthy lifestyle, initiatives to deal with the challenge due to environmental degradation, legislative measures to curb the release of pollutants of the industries are some of the legitimate issues to be addressed.


Keywords

Morbidity Profile, Fishermen Community, Ennore Creek.
User
Notifications

  • S.E. Roberts. Hazardous occupations in Great Britain. The Lancet. 2002; 360(9332), 543–544.

  • R.S. Carel, D. Carmil, G. Keinan. Occupational stress and well-being: do seafarers harbor more health problems than people on the shore?. Israel Journal Medical Sciences. 1990; 26(11), 619–624.

  • K. V. Basavakumar, S. Devendrappa, S. T. Sreenivas. A study on profile of fishing community of a village in Karnataka. Karnataka Journal of Agricultrual Sciences. 2011; 24 (5), 684-687.

  • Geography of India. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Geography_of_India. Date accessed: 15/8/2015.

  • The Challenged coast of India–Deepak Apte. http://deepakapte.com. Date accessed: 27/5/2015.

  • V. Shanthi, N. Gajendran, The impact of water pollution on the socio-economic status of the stakeholders of Ennore creek, Bay of Bengal (India): Part I. Indian Journal of Science and Technology. 2009; 2(3), 66-79.

  • http://www.snipview.com/q/Ennore. Date accessed: 27/ 5/ 2015.

  • M. Jayaprakash. Geochemical assessment of Heavy metal pollution in Ennore creek. Madras University, Chennai. 2003.

  • M. Jayaprakash, S. Srinivasalu, M.P. Jonathan, V. Ram Mohan. A baseline study of physico-chemical parameters and trace metals in water of Ennore Creek, Chennai, India. Marine Pollution Bullettin. 2005; 50 (5), 583-589.

  • Arunagiri. Modelling of pollution level in Ennore Creek. Project Report. Anna University: Madras, 1992.

  • G.P. Glasby, G.S. Roonwal. Marine Population in India: An emerging problem. Current Science. 1995; 68(5), 495-497.

  • UNEP. Global Environment Outlook 1. Global State of the Environment Report. 1997, 8-12.

  • Dr. S. B. Rotti, Dr. T. J. Jaisankar. Distribution of certain diseases among fishermen in Pondicherry–A comparative study. JIPMER.

  • Asawa K, Pujara P, Tak M, Nagarajappa R, Aapaliya P, Bhanushali N, Mishra P, Sharma A. Oral health status of fishermen and non-fishermen community of Kutch district, Gujarat, India: a comparative study. International Maritime Health. 2014; 65(1), 1-6.

  • K. Park. Park’s textbook of preventive and social medicine. 19thed. Banarasidas Bhanot Publishers: Jabalpur, 2008.

  • A. Valero, J. Huguet, J. Sanosa, A. Malet, P.A. García. Dermato-respiratory allergy induced by a marine worm(Marphysia sanguinea) used as fishing bait. Annals Allergy. 1989; 62(6), 514-517.

  • O.C. Jensen, Work related injuries in Danish fishermen, Occupational Medicine (London). 1996; 46(6), 414-20.

  • F.F. Casson, A. Zucchero, A. Bariga Boscolo, E. Malusa, C. Veronese, P. Boscolo Rizzo, F. Chiereghin, C. Boscolo Panzin, P. Mancarella, G. Mastranglo. Work and Chronic health effects among fishermen in Chioggia, Italy. Giorale Italiano di Medicine del Lavoro ed Ergonomia. 1998; 20(2), 68 – 74

  • K.R. Haldiya, M.L. Mathur, R. Sachdeva, V.K. Beniwal, M.B. Singh, S.P. Yadav, J. Lakshminarayana. Morbidity pattern of desert population engaged in salt manufacture in Rajasthan. Journal of the Indian Medical Association. 1995; 93(3), 95–97.

  • K.R. Haldiya, M.L. Mathur, R. Sachdeva, H.N. Saiyed. Risk of high blood pressure in salt workers working near salt milling plants: a cross-sectional and interventional study. Environ Health. 2005; 4, 13.

  • C. Johnson, Z. Singh, J. Bazroy, A.J. Purty, M. Natesan, V.K. Chavada. Study of Morbidity Pattern Among Salt Workers in Marakkanam, Tamil Nadu, India, Indian Journal Clinical Diagnosis Research. 2015; 9(4), LC01–LC03.

  • M. Torner, C. Zetterberg, T. Hansson, V. Lindell, R. Kadefors. Musculo-skeletal symptoms and signs and isometric strength among fisher-men. Ergonomics. 1990; 33(9): 1155-1170.

  • M. Torner, C. Zetterberg, U. Anden, T. Hansson, V. Lindell. Workload and musculoskeletal problems: A comparison between welders and office clerks. Ergonomics. 1991; 34(9), 1179-1196.

  • M.S. Pearce, Y.E. Buttery, R.N. Brueton. Knee pathology among seafarers: a review of 299 patients. Occupational Medicine (Lond). 1996; 46(2), 137–140.

  • B.K. Mahajan, M.C. Gupta. Textbook of preventive and social medicine. 3rd Ed. Jaypee Brothers Medical Publishers Pvt. Ltd.: New Delhi, 1992.

  • M. Bhat. Oral health status and treatment needs of a rural Indian fishing community. West Indian Medical Journal. 2008; 57(4), 414–417.

  • R. Sachdev, M.L. Mathur, K.R. Haldiya, H.N. Saiyed. Work-related health problems in salt workers of Rajasthan, India. Indian Journal Occup Environ Med. 2006; 10, 62–64.

  • S.M. Saw, K. Banerjee, D. Tan. Risk factors for the development of pterygium in Singapore: A hospital based case-control study. Acta Ophthalmol Scand. 2000; 78(2), 216–20.

  • C.A. McCarty, C.L. Fu, H.R. Taylor. Epiemiology of pterygium in Victoria, Australia. Br J Ophthalmol. 2000; 84, 289-92.

  • T.S. Kumar, R.J. Dagli, A. Mathur, M. Jain, G. Balasubramaniyan, D. Prabhu, S. Kulkami. Oral health status and practice of dentate Bhil adult tribes of Southern Rajasthan, India. International Dental Journal. 2009; 59(3), 133–140.

  • Ministry of Labour and Employment, Government of India. National policy on Safety, health and Environment at Workplace. Available at http://dgfasli.nic.in/npolicy/OSHPolicy.pdf. Date accessed: 18/8/2015.


Abstract Views: 759

PDF Views: 508




  • A Study on the Morbidity Profile among the Fishermen Community in Ennore Creek

Abstract Views: 759  |  PDF Views: 508

Authors

Gomathy Parasuraman
Saveetha Medical College, Thandalam, Kanchipuram district, Tamilnadu, India
Arun T. Mithrason
Karpagam Medical College, Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu, India
Timsi Jain
Saveetha Medical College, Thandalam, Kanchipuram district, Tamilnadu, India
B. P. Shilpa
Saveetha Medical College, Thandalam, Kanchipuram district, Tamilnadu, India
Krithiga Sivakumar
Saveetha Medical College, Thandalam, Kanchipuram district, Tamilnadu, India

Abstract


Aim: To study the morbidity profile of the fishermen community in the last six months residing in Ennore Creek, Bay of Bengal in India.

Settings and Design: A cross sectional study done among the fishing community in Ennore Creek which is located at the fringe area of North Chennai of Thiruvallur District, Tamilnadu.

Methods and Materials: This study was conducted among the fishing community in Ennore Creek which is located at the fringe area of North Chennai of Thiruvallur District, Tamilnadu. The cluster sampling method was adopted and 30 clusters were randomly selected by the probability proportionate to size (PPS) method. The structured questionnaire was used to collect information regarding details of the symptoms of the illness, duration of illness and observation of records regarding the illness. The study population included individuals with illness who are living in the nine fishing wards of Ennore Creek for the last six months.

Statistical analysis: Data entry and analysis was done using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 15 software. Descriptive statistics were calculated for the types of illness and their treatment seeking pattern.

Results: Among the 780 subjects who have had illness in the last six months, orthopaedic and musculoskeletal disorders were seemingly predominant in 112 (14.4%) subjects while respiratory diseases were reported by 106 (13.6%) subjects. In this study, 86 (11%) subjects suffered from systemic disorders. Gastrointestinal problems were found in 85 (10.9%) subjects while 76 (9.7%) of them were diagnosed with skin problems. ENT disorders were reported by 65 (8.3%) subjects while gynaecological problems were reported by 54 (6.9%) subjects and eye disorders were reported by 33(4.2%) subjects. Cardiovascular diseases were reported by 28 (3.6%) subjects while disorders in central nervous system were present in 27 (3.5%) subjects and genito - urinary disorders were reported by 20 (2.6%) subjects.

Conclusion: Fishing is not simply a job but it is a way of life with its own traditions and values. Globally, fishing community is one of the disadvantaged groups as it bears the denial of health care reforms in terms of receiving health care services. Knowledge and comprehensive understanding about their morbidity profile are essential to design of health care and environmental interventions according to the needs and priorities.

There is need to specifically target and improve the occupational lifestyle of fishermen. Various interventions like health promotion activities, education on environmental sanitation, measures for adoption of healthy lifestyle, initiatives to deal with the challenge due to environmental degradation, legislative measures to curb the release of pollutants of the industries are some of the legitimate issues to be addressed.


Keywords


Morbidity Profile, Fishermen Community, Ennore Creek.

References