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Awareness of health risks at the workplace and of risks of contracting communicable diseases including those related to food hygiene, among seafarers
open access
Abstract
Materials and methods. The study was conducted by proposing an anonymous questionnaire to the crew members of 9 tankers and to the office staff of the shipping company Finaval S.p.A., which has its headquarters in Rome.
Results. People living ashore have a better knowledge of infectious risks than seafarers. Both ashore workers and seafarers have a reasonable awareness of blood-borne and sexually-transmitted diseases. Seafarers are more concerned about the risks of psychological problems due to isolation than are office personnel. The risk of not being adequately cared for in case of disease or injury on board is also perceived as a major problem by seafarers. Ashore personnel, eating raw fish more than their mates on board, are at a greater risk of communicable gastrointestinal diseases.
Conclusions. Seafarers should be the target of specific informative campaigns about health risks, possible consequences, and how to minimize exposure to them during travel/life at sea.
Abstract
Materials and methods. The study was conducted by proposing an anonymous questionnaire to the crew members of 9 tankers and to the office staff of the shipping company Finaval S.p.A., which has its headquarters in Rome.
Results. People living ashore have a better knowledge of infectious risks than seafarers. Both ashore workers and seafarers have a reasonable awareness of blood-borne and sexually-transmitted diseases. Seafarers are more concerned about the risks of psychological problems due to isolation than are office personnel. The risk of not being adequately cared for in case of disease or injury on board is also perceived as a major problem by seafarers. Ashore personnel, eating raw fish more than their mates on board, are at a greater risk of communicable gastrointestinal diseases.
Conclusions. Seafarers should be the target of specific informative campaigns about health risks, possible consequences, and how to minimize exposure to them during travel/life at sea.
Keywords
communicable diseases; seafarers; risky behaviours
About this articleTitle
Awareness of health risks at the workplace and of risks of contracting communicable diseases including those related to food hygiene, among seafarers
Journal
Issue
Pages
24-31
Published online
2012-06-05
Page views
1595
Article views/downloads
2289
Bibliographic record
IMH 2012;63(1):24-31.
Keywords
communicable diseases
seafarers
risky behaviours
Authors
I. Grappasonni
P. Paci
F. Mazzucchi
S. De Longis
F. Amenta
