title: A qualitative exploration of fishing and fish consumption in the Gullah/Geechee culture.
abstract: The Gullah/Geechee (G/G) heritage is rooted in a culture largely dependent on fish and seafood as a primary food source. Research suggests that African-American (AA) fishers in the Southeastern US consume larger amounts of fish, potentially exposing them to higher environmental contaminant levels. This in-depth study was conducted to explore G/G and AA Sea Island attitudes, perceptions, and cultural beliefs about fishing in one urban and two rural South Carolina coastal counties. Results indicated that study participants in rural counties had slightly different perspectives of fishing (e.g. fishing as an essential dietary supplement) than in urban counties where fishing was viewed more as relaxation. Major misperceptions existed in all counties between fish consumption advisories related to pollution versus harvesting restrictions associated with fishing regulations. Providing clear, culturally tailored health messages regarding fish advisories will promote more informed choices about fish consumption that will minimize potential exposures to environmental pollutants.
authors.affiliation: Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Arnold School of Public Health, University of South Carolina, 915 Greene Street, Suite 518, Columbia, SC, 29208, USA, Jamelle.ellis3@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Jamelle H
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Ellis
authors.forename: Daniela B
authors.initials: DB
authors.lastname: Friedman
authors.forename: Robin
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Puett
authors.forename: Geoffrey I
authors.initials: GI
authors.lastname: Scott
authors.forename: Dwayne E
authors.initials: DE
authors.lastname: Porter
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000818:Animals; D003469:Culture; D005260:Female; D005399:Fishes; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009042:Motivation; D009790:Occupations; D036301:Qualitative Research; D012424:Rural Population; D017747:Seafood / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D013022:South Carolina; D014505:Urban Population; D055815:Young Adult
references.citation: Sci Total Environ. 2001 Sep 28;277(1-3):77-86
references.pmid: 11589410
references.citation: Risk Anal. 1999 Jun;19(3):427-38
references.pmid: 10765415
references.citation: Soc Sci Med. 2007 Nov;65(9):1839-52
references.pmid: 17614174
references.citation: Environ Res. 2009 Aug;109(6):753-9
references.pmid: 19477438
references.citation: Int J Aging Hum Dev. 2010;70(2):119-43
references.pmid: 20405586
references.citation: J Nutr Educ Behav. 2012 Mar-Apr;44(2):154-9
references.pmid: 22037147
references.citation: Environ Health Perspect. 2011 Feb;119(2):245-51
references.pmid: 20980220
references.citation: Public Health Rep. 1994 Jan-Feb;109(1):86-92
references.pmid: 8303020
references.citation: J Community Health. 2013 Aug;38(4):642-51
references.pmid: 23468319
references.citation: Public Health Rep. 2003 Jul-Aug;118(4):293-302
references.pmid: 12815076
references.citation: Fam Community Health. 2006 Jan-Mar;29(1 Suppl):20S-27S
references.pmid: 16344633
references.citation: CA Cancer J Clin. 1998 May-Jun;48(3):151-62
references.pmid: 9594918
references.citation: J Health Commun. 2012;17(10):1151-70
references.pmid: 22808914
references.citation: Prev Sci. 2011 Sep;12(3):333-8
references.pmid: 21678029
references.citation: Health Educ Behav. 2006 Jun;33(3):352-73
references.pmid: 16699125
references.citation: Gerontologist. 2013 Dec;53(6):973-84
references.pmid: 23362210
references.citation: Environ Res. 2011 Nov;111(8):1037-45
references.pmid: 21851935
references.citation: Gerontologist. 2011 Jun;51 Suppl 1:S33-45
references.pmid: 21565817
references.citation: Health Educ Res. 2010 Apr;25(2):306-15
references.pmid: 19261690
references.citation: Environ Health Perspect. 2005 Oct;113(10):1325-9
references.pmid: 16203241
references.citation: Patient Educ Couns. 2011 Dec;85(3):508-15
references.pmid: 21306856