Occupational Health Hazards of Seaweed Farming in Sorsogon, the Philippines

Seaweed farmers are important workers in the aquaculture industry who are vulnerable to diverse occupational health hazards. Concerns have however rarely been raised about these work-related health issues of these farmers in the Philippines. In this study, we employed a risk management approach that involved identifying health issues and considering strategies to reduce the impacts the risks may bring. We determined the physical health hazards faced by seaweed farmers in Sorsogon, an area in the eastern Philippines with active seaweed farms. Findings were presented focusing on descriptive and correlation analyses based on a risk matrix approach. Interview responses were collected using a five-step Likert scale to measure the frequency and severity of etic categories of health hazards. Most of the 29 identified health issues were experienced by the farmers during the repeated installation of farms. Headaches were most prevalent and severe, followed by skin and musculo-skeletal problems. Albeit only categorized as a minor risk, headache still ranks first in order and was correlated with age and sex. Based on physiological differences, women farmers were more vulnerable than men to experiencing headaches due to long-term exposure to heat. Shorter time of field exposure, financial rewards, and social scripting appeared to be key drivers for a consistently low appreciation by seaweed farmers to the frequency, severity, and potential risks of occupational health hazards. Our findings hold important implications for seeking appropriate interventions to include improving ergonomic conditions and the use of protective tools. The wider information campaign, provision of support services, and medical interventions targeting major health issues identified in this study can help address the actual health conditions affecting seaweed farmers in Sorsogon and thereby influence health policy and practice beneficial to this workforce throughout the Philippines.