A CROSS-SECTIONAL STUDY ON INDICATORS OF HEALTH AND WELLBEING AMONG SELECTED ARTISANAL FISHERWOMEN OF RAMANATHAPURAM DISTRICT, TAMIL NADU, INDIA
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.55766/sujst12857Keywords:
Abdominal obesity, Advancing age, Comorbidity, Hypertension, Quality of LifeAbstract
Health is a key human development indicator influenced by occupational exposures, environmental conditions and access to healthcare. This cross-sectional study has assessed nutritional indicators, diet quality, cardiometabolic risk and quality of life among 400 artisanal fisherwomen in Ramanathapuram District of Tamil Nadu, India. Data has been collected using a standardized interview schedule for assessment of nutritional status, abdominal obesity, self-reported medical history, the Diet Quality Questionnaire and WHOQOL BREF (1996). Descriptive statistics and chi-square analysis are used to assess the associations between quality of life and health status. Nearly half of participants have had a normal body mass index (47%), while about 33 percent are overweight and 11 percent are obese. Indicators of abdominal obesity have shown increased risk based on waist-hip ratio (50%) and waist-height ratio (58%). Diet quality scores have shown only minor variations across occupation groups. Age-wise analysis of blood pressure has revealed a progressive increase in hypertension with advancing age; with Stage II hypertension observed among fisherwomen aged above 50 years (18%). Despite these risks, 77.5 percent rated overall quality of life as good. Chi-square analysis has shown significant associations between quality of life and diabetes mellitus (χ² = 21.20, p<0.001), hypertension (χ² = 10.92, p = 0.004) and comorbidity (χ² = 13.81, p=0.003). Cramer’s V has indicated a moderate association between diabetes and quality of life (V=0.23). These findings indicate that although many fisherwomen perceive their quality of life positively, cardiometabolic risk factors remain prevalent. These results highlight the importance of targeted health screening and preventive interventions addressing nutritional status and cardiometabolic risk among artisanal fisherwomen.
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