Occupational health surveillance of artisanal fishermen in the Baía de Todos os Santos: from invisibility to the proposal of public policies for the Unified Health System (SUS)

Abstract Introduction: fishermen are one of the largest and most traditional categories of workers in the world. In order to address the knowledge gaps in health problems related to this activity, and to develop actions together with the Unified Health System (SUS), in 2006 a set of studies and activities aimed at artisanal fishermen and shellfish gatherers was initiated, involving 13 municipal districts in Baía de Todos os Santos, Bahia, Brazil. Objective: to discuss results achieved in interventions and studies carried out with the purpose of subsidizing actions concerning fishermen’s occupational health surveillance (Visat). Methods: we discuss and refer to qualitative and quantitative studies developed through community-based participatory research. Results: studies and interventions revealed artisanal fishermen’s working conditions and occupational risks, especially those related to repetitive movements leading to high RSI/RMSDs prevalence. The results also contributed to the analysis of the workers’ quality of life, organization of diagnostic services, adaptation of the RSI/WRMSDs clinical protocol, and training the Family Health Strategy Teams operating in fishing territories. Conclusion: the studies and interventions indicate the possibility of reproducing this experience within the framework of Visat at SUS.