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Occupational Medicine Advance Access originally published online on February 1, 2008
Occupational Medicine 2008 58(2):141-143; doi:10.1093/occmed/kqm156
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© The Author 2008. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the Society of Occupational Medicine. All rights reserved. For Permissions, please email: journals.permissions@oxfordjournals.org

Short Reports

Occupational health in the Andalusian Fisheries Sector

José Novalbos1, Pedro Nogueroles2, Mila Soriguer3 and Francisco Piniella4

1 Department of Public Health, Faculty of Medicine, University of Cadiz, Plaza del Falla 9, 11003 Cádiz, Spain
2 Department of Public Health, Faculty of Nautical Sciences, University of Cadiz, CASEM, Campus Rio San Pedro, 11510 Puerto Real, Cadiz, Spain
3 Department of Biology, Faculty of Sea Sciences, University of Cadiz, CASEM, Campus Rio San Pedro, 11510 Puerto Real, Cadiz, Spain
4 Department of Maritime Studies, Faculty of Nautical Sciences, University of Cadiz, CASEM, Campus Rio San Pedro, 11510 Puerto Real, Cadiz, Spain

Correspondence to: Francisco Piniella, Department of Maritime Studies, Faculty of Nautical Sciences, University of Cadiz, CASEM, Campus Rio San Pedro, 11510 Puerto Real, Cadiz, Spain. Tel: + 34 956 016144; fax: +34 956 016039; e-mail: francisco.piniella{at}uca.es


   Abstract
Top
 Abstract
Introduction
 Methods
 Results
 Discussion
 Conflicts of interest
 References
 
Background The conditions of work in the fisheries sector are arduous with high rates of occupational accidents. Numerous factors are known that can directly influence the health of the sailor or fisherman both in fishing and merchant fleets.

Aim To evaluate the health status, safety and working conditions in the Andalusian fishing sector.

Methods Cross-sectional questionnaire study with proportional sampling of the health and lifestyles of fishery workers in 19 of the 23 Andalusian ports.

Results A total of 247 workers employed on 202 craft fishing boats responded. In all 87% of workers reported a current medical condition. The main problems reported were musculoskeletal disorders, respiratory diseases, diseases of the digestive system, eye problems and skin problems. A total of 72% reported taking some self-prescribed medication, and 60% of fishery workers smoked. Nine per cent of fishery workers admitted taking illicit drugs and 3% reported using illicit drugs on board. Diets on board were poorly balanced. While on board, 62% of crews reported a subjective significant worsening of previous health. The lifetime prevalence of accidents was 76%.

Conclusions Fishery workers had a high prevalence of self-reported medical problems, a high prevalence of self-medication, poor diets and frequently smoked. Self-medication and some medical conditions (diabetes, angina and depression) may reflect a potential failing of health checks and pre-employment checks. National health services and insurance companies dealing with occupational health should focus more on appropriate health checks, illness prevention and health promotion activities for this population.

Keywords      Fishermen; occupational health; occupational safety; seafarers


   Introduction
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 Abstract
 Introduction
Methods
 Results
 Discussion
 Conflicts of interest
 References
 
Previous studies have demonstrated that working conditions in the fisheries sector are arduous, with industrial accidents commonplace. Numerous factors can directly influence the health of workers in fishing [1] and merchant fleets [2]. This study is centred on surveying and evaluating the health, safety and working conditions of the fishing fleet of Andalusia.


   Methods
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 Abstract
 Introduction
 Methods
Results
 Discussion
 Conflicts of interest
 References
 
A cross-sectional study was performed with a questionnaire on health, working conditions and lifestyles (50 items) on a sample of Andalusian fishing fleet employees out of a total population of 9419 workers. Within this population, four different fishing techniques were used by the workers surveyed. These techniques were bottom trawling (towing trawl nets along the sea floor), small-scale gear fishing (fishing using multipurpose vessels including fixed traps or pots), net vessel fishing (large weights attached to vertical nets) and longliner fishing (fishing using multiple lines at once). Additional questions about accidents and injuries were also asked.


   Results
Top
 Abstract
 Introduction
 Methods
 Results
Discussion
 Conflicts of interest
 References
 
A total of 247 workers employed on 202 fishing boats (representing 10% of the 2027 boats recorded by census) responded to the questionnaire. The mean age of the population surveyed was 40.3 years (SD 11.5) with no variations in relation to the type of fishing technique employed. The average working experience of the population was 24.4 years (SD 13.3). Skippers had 6.6 years more experience than deckhands. In 32% of cases, fishing was a second job after agriculture or construction.

In all 87% of the population reported current medical conditions. The main problems reported were musculoskeletal disorders, respiratory diseases, diseases of the digestive system and eye problems (Table 1). No significant differences were found between reported medical conditions and type of fishing technique employed.


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  		Table 1. Prevalence of medical conditions and perception of worsening of health

 
In all 25% of fishery workers reported sensitive skin and 54% sun-related skin injuries. Hearing problems were reported by 6%. Problems of carbohydrate intolerance or non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus were reported in 6%. Two per cent of workers reported medical conditions considered incompatible with working at sea (insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus or IDDM, angina and depression).

Self-medication was common, reported by 72% of fishery workers. The commonest drugs taken were analgesics and anti-inflammatory medication (taken by 55% of workers), followed by antacids, anti-catarrh medicines and anxiolytics.

With reference to lifestyle, most workers reported excessive calorie consumption while on shore, notably high in animal fats and accompanied by moderate–high alcohol consumption. While at sea, workers reported an average calorie intake of ~1800 kcal. Calorie intake was higher on smaller and multipurpose vessels. On many vessels, food was limited to coffee, sandwiches and occasionally fruit on board. Younger people on smaller boats had higher levels of carbohydrate intake. High levels of protein intake were observed in the crews of netters and trawlers. A total of 60% of those surveyed smoked, with nearly one-third smoking an average of >30 cigarettes per day. Alcohol consumptions differed greatly when comparing alcohol intake between on shore levels and at sea levels. The average alcohol intake in fishery workers when on shore was 19 g/day. A total of 30% of workers reported drinking at sea with an average alcohol intake of 8.5 g/day. A total of 9% of fishermen admitted taking illicit drugs. A total of 6% reported regular use (5–7 days/week) comprising mainly of cannabis use in the younger population (<35 years). During the last voyage, eight workers (3%) admitted to illicit drug use on board.

While on board, 62% of fishery workers reported a subjective significant worsening of previous health complaints (especially on multipurpose vessels and longliners). A total of 76% reported having injuries on board and 43% had taken sick leave following an accident. Trawlers and multipurpose vessels reported more accidents (Table 2).


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  		Table 2. Life time injuries at sea

 

   Discussion
Top
 Abstract
 Introduction
 Methods
 Results
 Discussion
Conflicts of interest
 References
 
As with studies conducted on other sectors of the fishing industry [3], the most prevalent health problems found in fisherman in this study were skin, eye, respiratory, digestive and musculoskeletal conditions [4]. Analgesics, anti-inflammatory drugs and antacids were commonly self-prescribed.

Our study also found that fishermen were still going to sea despite suffering from medical conditions incompatible with work at sea (i.e. IDDM, angina and depression). This represents a potential serious failing of health surveillance and pre-employment checks.

We also found that fishermen generally live unhealthy lifestyles. Fishermen need more information on a healthy lifestyle. While at sea, it has been estimated that fishermen require a high calorie intake of 2850–3000 kcal although in our study we found an average calorie intake of only ~1800 kcal [5]. Insufficient calorie intake and poor diet is a possible explanation for the gastrointestinal symptoms reported and subsequent need for antacids.

Our study has shown a high level of smoking and alcohol intake in the fisheries sector in Andalusia. Having said this, the prevalence of smoking and level of alcohol intake seems to be reducing, when we compare our results to previous studies on a similar population [6]. In 1991, 67% consumed >10 cigarettes/day, 15% reported drinking >50 g/day and 9% admitted consuming drugs regularly (cannabis 62%). In previous studies regarding drug consumption in Spain [7], ‘regular’ cannabis users accounted for 2.8–4.5% while in our study, the figure was 6.5%.

Hearing problems were also common, reported by 6% of the population surveyed. This could be linked to noise exposures while at work; in this type of vessel, it was found that an average noise level in the engine room was from 95 to 105 dbA [8].

Working conditions at sea often make it difficult to implement programmes in fishery workers that would help the worker. However, there is a need for the introduction of specific health and safety strategies in the fishery sector. Injuries are often related to the type of fishing vessel or process [6,9]. The risk from accidents [10] seems to be higher in trawlers and longliners, signalling the need for specific policies in these type of vessels.

Based on our findings, we believe that occupational health care policies for fishery workers in the future should focus more on adequate health surveillance, first aid, illness prevention and health promotion activities for workers.


Key points
  • Dermatological lesions, bronchitis obstructive, digestive problems and high consumptions of medicines and tobacco are all associated with fishing.
  • The diet on board should be related to the digestive illnesses and with work shifts.
  • Health services of the insurance companies should participate more in primary attention, illiness prevention and health promotion activities for these workers.

 


   Conflicts of interest
Top
 Abstract
 Introduction
 Methods
 Results
 Discussion
 Conflicts of interest
References
 
None declared.


   References
Top
 Abstract
 Introduction
 Methods
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 Discussion
 Conflicts of interest
 References
 

  1. Matheson C, Morrison S, Murphy E, Lawrie T, Ritchie L, Bond C. The health of fishermen in the catching sector of the fishing industry: a gap analysis. Occup Med (Lond) (2001) 51:305–311.[CrossRef][Medline]

  2. Hansen HL, Tuchsen F, Hannerz H. Hospitalisations among seafarers on merchant ships. Occup Environ Med (2005) 62:145–150.[Abstract/Free Full Text]

  3. Norum J, Endresen E. Injuries and diseases among commercial fishermen in the Northeast Atlantic and Barents Sea. Data from the Royal Norwegian Coast Guard. Int Arch Occup Environ Health (2003) 76:241–245.[Web of Science][Medline]

  4. Torner M, Zetterberg C, Anden U, Hansson T, Lindell V. Workload and musculoskeletal problems: a comparison between welders and office clerks (with reference also to fishermen). Ergonomics (1991) 34:1179–1196.[Medline]

  5. WHO/FAO. Energy requirements for adults. In:. In: Human energy requirements. Report of a Joint FAO/WHO/UNU Expert Consultation (2004) Rome: FAO Food and Nutrition Technical Report Series 1. WHO. 35–52.

  6. Novalbos Ruiz JP, Nogueroles Alonso de la Sierra P, Costa Alonso M, Canals ML, Rodríguez Martin A, Zafra Mezcua J. Accidentabilidad asistida por radio en el sector marítimo pesquero español. 1993–1994. Med Maritima (1999) 1:9–14.

  7. Bobes J, Saiz PA, Gonzalez MP, et al. Use of MDMA and other illicit drugs by young adult males in northern Spain. A five-year study. Eur Addict Res (2002) 8:147–154.[CrossRef][Web of Science][Medline]

  8. Neitzel RL, Berna BE, Seixas NS. Noise exposure aboard catcher/processor fishing vessels. Am J Ind Med (2006) 49:624–633.[CrossRef][Web of Science][Medline]

  9. Perez-Labajos C, Azofra M, Blanco B, Achutegui J, Gonzalez J. Analysis of accident inequality of the Spanish fishing fleet. Accid Anal Prev (2006) 38:1168–1175.[CrossRef][Web of Science][Medline]

  10. Matheson C, Morrison S, Murphy E, Ritchie L, Bond C, Lawrie T. The use of NHS accident and emergency services by commercial sea fishermen in the North East of Scotland. Occup Med (Lond) (2005) 55:96–98.[CrossRef][Medline]


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