Occupational Hazards Among Fishing Community in East Godavari District, Andhra Pradesh

Abstract

Fishing is a hazardous occupation that exposes workers to physical strain, injuries, and psychological stress. Fishing is a major livelihood activity in East Godavari district of Andhra Pradesh; however, limited studies have explored the occupational hazards and occupational health issues faced by fisherfolk in this region. This study aimed to estimate the prevalence and types of occupational hazards, assess occupational health issues, and suggest ergonomic measures among fisherfolk in the erstwhile East Godavari district, Andhra Pradesh. A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted among 160 fisherfolk (107 males and 53 females) selected using a random walk sampling approach. Data were collected using a prestructured questionnaire. Descriptive statistics with 95% confidence intervals (CI) were calculated, and the Chi-square test was applied to assess gender differences. Physical hazards were the most prevalent among both fishermen (93.4%, 95% CI: 86.9–97.3) and fisherwomen (86.7%, 95% CI: 74.6–94.5), followed by ergonomic hazards (77.5%, 95% CI: 68.4–85.1 and 64.1%, 95% CI: 49.8–76.9, respectively), while chemical hazards were the least reported in both groups. Fishermen more frequently reported prolonged sun exposure (74.8%) and heavy lifting (69.1%), whereas fisherwomen commonly reported poor sanitation and hygiene facilities (88.0%). Repetitive tasks associated with musculoskeletal pain were reported by 72.8% of fishermen and 64.2% of fisherwomen. Significant gender differences were observed for heavy lifting (69.1% in fishermen vs. 20.8% in fisherwomen; χ² = 33.3, P < 0.001). Fisherfolk face high occupational risks, highlighting the need to strengthen awareness, ergonomic interventions, and policy support to improve the well-being of this community.