Health of Primary Industry Workers as Perceived by Public Health Nurses

Abstract

Objective: The present study aimed to clarify the health of primary industry workers as perceived by public health nurses.

Methods: Semi-structured interviews were carried out for eight public health nurses who had more than five years of work experience in towns that rely mainly on primary industry sectors. The responses obtained were then analyzed using a qualitative descriptive design.

Results: Six definitions regarding health as a state of well-being for primary industry workers were determined based on perceptions of the nurses: “their livelihood is dependent on the blessings of nature”, “they prioritize earning a living to secure their livelihood”, “their health and physical strength comprise the human capital for work”, “they are considerate and caring toward their co-workers”, “they make efforts as producers to inform others regarding food culture”, and “they are proud of their occupation”.

Discussion: In this study, public health nurses perceived health as a state of well-being of primary industry workers, who are meant to work in accordance with nature, to prioritize interactions with family and co-workers, and to fully engage as producers for others. These results suggest a deeper understanding of how primary industry workers live in association with nature and their co-workers. Additionally, their perceived role as producers could improve the delivery of their services to help achieve an optimal work–life balance.