Assessment of health seeking behaviour among fishermen community in Puducherry

Abstract

Background: Fishermen community are involved in dangerous and complex profession and have diverse and untold constrains like work overtime in sea- nightshifts and late- night return from sea which worsen their morbid conditions. Objectives were to explore the health seeking behaviour and challenges faced by the fishermen community to utilize the health care facility in Puducherry.Methods: A community based cross-sectional study was conducted among 102 individuals in the selected villages of fishermen community in Puducherry based on convenient sampling during September 2019 to November 2019.Results: Majority 63 (62.4%) utilized government hospitals for various illness. Nearly one-third of people 35 (34.5%) visited private hospital for their ailments and another 4 (3.9%) preferred pharmacies for their illness. More than half of the study participants working as an active fisherman 59 (57.8%) had approached health care facility during their illness (p<0.037). Around 54 (52.9%) subjects belonged to lower middle class visited health facility during their illness (p<0.046). Free of cost, 24×7 services, and easy accessibility, were reported as the commonest reason for choosing public health facility. Doctors availability, less time consumption and quality of medical care were the reasons for preferring private practitioners.Conclusions: Strengthening of public health care services near the fishermen community area is required to promote their health seeking behaviour. Also, special focus to be given for appropriate transport facility and arranging specialized healthcare professionals for this community.

Epidemiology of occupational hazards and injuries among fishermen at Tanji fishing site in The Gambia: an analytical cross-sectional study design

“…1 Another study in India reveals that the fisherfolk do not utilize medical services and are reluctant to recuperate and recover from injuries sustained. 10 Some of the distressing factors for fisher folks include exposure to cold, wind, rough seas, substantial involvement of physical effort, frequency of injuries during work, noise, inadequate hygiene, unexpected threats, failure with equipment, and psychological stress and economic stress pressure. 3,11 Slips, trips, falls, and exposure to loud noises are major physical dangers in handling facilities, while chemical mishaps, solvents, vapors, fumes, and unburned hydrocarbons are common chemical hazards.…”