The impacts of productive and reproductive roles on women fisherfolk's health

This descriptive study examined how women's dual roles in productive and reproductive tasks affected their health problems and how these health problems were managed. The quantitative study was done through semi-structured interviews. Findings showed that the meager weekly income of the household from fishing was insufficient for the family's needs. But most of the households relied solely from this. Hence, almost all of the fishing households consumed what they caught or collect during fishing. From pre-fishing to post-fishing activities, women fisherfolks were highly involved in tasks related to provisions, and handling to marketing of catch. The study also found that women were mainly responsible for child-rearing tasks. Most of these child-rearing tasks that they did were related to providing children's physical needs especially regarding health and nutrition. Likewise, the respondents were also the main persons doing the household chores. The findings showed that the respondents, who experienced serious illnesses, suffered health problems generally in their reproductive, digestive, and musculoskeletal systems. These serious illnesses were generally caused by the productive roles women did. All of the women fisherfolks experienced usual illnesses which mostly affected the muscles and the bones of the respondents. The immune and respiratory system were also mostly affected by usual illnesses. The results of the study with regards to health management practices showed that hospitalization was usually done for serious illnesses. However, for managing usual illnesses, women resorted to traditional massage, herbal medication, and self-medication.