Background: The main objective was to evaluate the prevalence of skin diseases amongst fishermen, to  specify the different clinical forms, associations and most frequent localisations, and to identify potential  aetiological factors. The secondary objectives were to assess the knowledge, attitudes and practices of  seafarers regarding occupational dermatoses to conduct information, awareness and education campaigns  on risk factors and behaviours and to propose adapted prevention. 

Materials and methods: This cross-sectional survey involved 1102 artisanal fishermen who attended the  annual legal medical consultation at the occupational health service. All participants were men and had  a regular activity for at least 2 years. It included an individual questionnaire, a clinical examination and  a technical visit to the workplace 

Results: The skin disorders were palmar hyperkeratosis in 67.1% of fishermen, plantar hyperkeratosis in  59.4%, scares in 52.2%, facial wrinkling in 32%, and marine stings in 11.2%. The skin infections were  fungal (44.4%), bacterial (8.3%), viral (5.5%) and scabies (1%). Only 192 (17.4%) fishermen did not have  any dermatologic disease, 43% had one type of dermatologic diseases, 27.2% two types, 9.5% three types  and 2.5% four types. Concerning personal protective equipment, only 87.4% wore protective clothing,  12.8% high visibility clothing, 52.6% safety shoes, 30.1% protective gloves, and 63.5% protective caps  or hats. Only, 12% knew that mycosis were infectious origin and were contagious. Eighty-two per cent  ignored the mode of contamination, 78% the means of prevention and 91% the existence of a medical  treatment. Ninety-five per cent thought that pityriasis versicolor was due to sunrays especially in summer  and not to fungus. 

Conclusions: The elaboration of the prevention approach needs a cooperative spirit; it will be more  accepted and applied by all fishermen, if their representatives are involved in its preparation. The realisation  of information and sensitization campaigns about the skin health must be based on the results  of prevalence surveys.