open access

Vol 67, No 1 (2016)
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
Submitted: 2016-03-30
Accepted: 2016-03-30
Published online: 2016-03-30
Get Citation

HIV/AIDS, health and wellbeing study among International Transport Workers’ Federation (ITF) seafarer affiliates

Syed Asif Altaf Chowdhury, Jacqueline Smith, Steve Trowsdale, Susan Leather
DOI: 10.5603/IMH.2016.0009
·
Pubmed: 27029929
·
IMH 2016;67(1):42-50.

open access

Vol 67, No 1 (2016)
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
Submitted: 2016-03-30
Accepted: 2016-03-30
Published online: 2016-03-30

Abstract

Background: Transport workers generally face a higher-than-average risk of HIV as well as other health challenges. In order to improve understanding of health issues in the maritime sector, including but not limited to HIV/AIDS, and to prepare appropriate responses the International Transport Workers’ Federation (ITF) conducted a study of the views and needs of those affiliates.

Materials and methods: The ITF carried out two surveys. The first consisted of a questionnaire sent to all ITF seafarer affiliates to establish their concerns about health issues, including the impact of HIV/AIDS, and to assess the extent and nature of existing trade union programmes. The second consisted of a knowledge, attitude and behaviour survey on health, wellbeing and AIDS among a cross-section of individual members administered through anonymous and confidential questionnaires by maritime affiliates in four countries in different regions and an identical online questionnaire through Survey Monkey.

Results: For the first survey, replies were received from 35 unions in 30 countries, including major seafarer supplying countries — India, Indonesia, Myanmar, Philippines, Turkey, Ukraine — and major beneficial ownership countries such as Germany, Italy, Norway, and South Korea. Health issues of concern included HIV and other sexually transmitted infections for over three-quarters of them, and then alcohol use, weight control, and mental health. All said they would welcome ITF support in starting or strengthening a programme on general health and/or HIV. Replies were received to the second survey from 615 individual seafarers. Half to three-quarters said they worried about their weight, lack of exercise and drinking; over half felt depressed sometimes or often. There were serious knowledge gaps in a number of areas, especially HIV transmission and prevention, as well as high levels of stigma towards workmates with HIV.

Conclusions: A number of health issues and information gaps remain unaddressed on board and pre-departure. Mental health is especially neglected but the needs emerge clearly. Seafarers believe that companies should provide programmes but also look to their unions for health information and services. The ITF has an important role to play in supporting affiliated unions in developing activities and in providing technical and strategic guidance.  

Abstract

Background: Transport workers generally face a higher-than-average risk of HIV as well as other health challenges. In order to improve understanding of health issues in the maritime sector, including but not limited to HIV/AIDS, and to prepare appropriate responses the International Transport Workers’ Federation (ITF) conducted a study of the views and needs of those affiliates.

Materials and methods: The ITF carried out two surveys. The first consisted of a questionnaire sent to all ITF seafarer affiliates to establish their concerns about health issues, including the impact of HIV/AIDS, and to assess the extent and nature of existing trade union programmes. The second consisted of a knowledge, attitude and behaviour survey on health, wellbeing and AIDS among a cross-section of individual members administered through anonymous and confidential questionnaires by maritime affiliates in four countries in different regions and an identical online questionnaire through Survey Monkey.

Results: For the first survey, replies were received from 35 unions in 30 countries, including major seafarer supplying countries — India, Indonesia, Myanmar, Philippines, Turkey, Ukraine — and major beneficial ownership countries such as Germany, Italy, Norway, and South Korea. Health issues of concern included HIV and other sexually transmitted infections for over three-quarters of them, and then alcohol use, weight control, and mental health. All said they would welcome ITF support in starting or strengthening a programme on general health and/or HIV. Replies were received to the second survey from 615 individual seafarers. Half to three-quarters said they worried about their weight, lack of exercise and drinking; over half felt depressed sometimes or often. There were serious knowledge gaps in a number of areas, especially HIV transmission and prevention, as well as high levels of stigma towards workmates with HIV.

Conclusions: A number of health issues and information gaps remain unaddressed on board and pre-departure. Mental health is especially neglected but the needs emerge clearly. Seafarers believe that companies should provide programmes but also look to their unions for health information and services. The ITF has an important role to play in supporting affiliated unions in developing activities and in providing technical and strategic guidance.  

Get Citation

Keywords

transport, seafarers, health, wellbeing, HIV/STI prevention, HIV stigma, overweight, alcohol use, mental health, suicide, working conditions, information, education, maritime company, trade union

About this article
Title

HIV/AIDS, health and wellbeing study among International Transport Workers’ Federation (ITF) seafarer affiliates

Journal

International Maritime Health

Issue

Vol 67, No 1 (2016)

Pages

42-50

Published online

2016-03-30

Page views

2682

Article views/downloads

2422

DOI

10.5603/IMH.2016.0009

Pubmed

27029929

Bibliographic record

IMH 2016;67(1):42-50.

Keywords

transport
seafarers
health
wellbeing
HIV/STI prevention
HIV stigma
overweight
alcohol use
mental health
suicide
working conditions
information
education
maritime company
trade union

Authors

Syed Asif Altaf Chowdhury
Jacqueline Smith
Steve Trowsdale
Susan Leather

Regulations

Important: This website uses cookies. More >>

The cookies allow us to identify your computer and find out details about your last visit. They remembering whether you've visited the site before, so that you remain logged in - or to help us work out how many new website visitors we get each month. Most internet browsers accept cookies automatically, but you can change the settings of your browser to erase cookies or prevent automatic acceptance if you prefer.

By VM Media Group sp. z o.o., Grupa Via Medica, ul. Świętokrzyska 73, 80–180 Gdańsk, Poland

tel.: +48 58 320 94 94, fax:+48 58 320 94 60, e-mail: viamedica@viamedica.pl