Abstract

Background/Objectives: In rural settings, work, family, and environmental conditions are closely intertwined, requiring Primary Health Care to recognize care needs arising from productive work and everyday family responsibilities. This study aimed to analyze overall and domain-specific levels of perceived workload related to agriculture/fishing and family involvement in the household among rural and small-scale fishing workers, examine associated factors, and discuss analytical implications for nursing care organization in Primary Health Care. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted in three island territories in Rio Grande, southern Brazil, following the STROBE guidelines. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire on sociodemographic, family, and occupational characteristics and the NASA Task Load Index (NASA-TLX), applied separately to assess workload related to agriculture/fishing and family involvement in the household. Results: The sample included 146 rural and small-scale fishing workers. Perceived workload could suggest high in both dimensions, with higher levels in agriculture/fishing (mean 84.0 ± 16.5; 89.7% high/very high) than in family involvement in the household (mean 76.1 ± 24.5; 75.4% high/very high). Agriculture/fishing workload perceived could suggest highest scores for overall effort level, temporal demand, and physical demand, whereas family involvement could suggest highest scores for performance-related workload and overall effort level. In the adjusted model, agriculture/fishing perceived workload may be associated with longer daily working time (b = 1.69; 95% CI: 0.82 to 2.56; p < 0.001) and shorter rest time during work (b = −0.05; 95% CI: −0.08 to −0.01; p = 0.011). Perceived workload related to family involvement in the household may be associated with monthly income up to two minimum wages (b = 19.90; 95% CI: 7.78 to 32.10; p = 0.001). The adjusted R2 values were 17.3% and 6.7%, respectively. Conclusions: Perceived workload appears to be related to high levels in both productive and family household contexts. The findings might contribute to providing analytical support for future discussions on nursing care organization in Primary Health Care, potentially by considering working conditions, family responsibilities, and territorial context when discussing care needs among rural and small-scale fishing workers.

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