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Vol 70, No 2 (2019)
Original article
Submitted: 2018-10-26
Accepted: 2019-05-30
Published online: 2019-06-25
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Musculoskeletal symptoms among workers in the commercial fishing fleet of Norway

Mariann Sandsund1, Anita Øren1, Trine Thorvaldsen2, Ingunn Holmen2, Signe Sønvisen2, Cecilie Thon Heidelberg3, Lisbeth Aasmoe3
DOI: 10.5603/IMH.2019.0016
·
Pubmed: 31237669
·
IMH 2019;70(2):100-106.
Affiliations
  1. SINTEF Digital, Trondheim, Norway
  2. SINTEF Ocean, Trondheim, Norway
  3. University Hospital of North Norway, Department of Occupational and Environmental Medicine/ /The Arctic University of Norway, Department of Medical Biology, Tromsø, Norway

open access

Vol 70, No 2 (2019)
MARITIME/OCCUPATIONAL MEDICINE Original article
Submitted: 2018-10-26
Accepted: 2019-05-30
Published online: 2019-06-25

Abstract

Background: Fishers exposed to unfavourable environmental conditions may suffer negative health ef- fects. This study aimed to identify musculoskeletal symptoms in professional fishers in Norway using data from several sources; register data, telephone survey and questionnaire.

Materials and methods: Professional fishers (n = 25,971) registered in the period 2008–2013 were selected by Statistics Norway (SSB). An age- and gender-matched control population (n = 77,913) was also selected. Outpatient consultation and hospitalisation data were received from the Norwegian Patient Registry (NPR). To obtain information about self-reported symptoms, 832 registered fishers on board Norwegian fishing vessels were interviewed by telephone, and a questionnaire was distributed to the crews of 5 trawlers (n = 153). 

Results: Data from NPR showed that fishers, compared to the control population, suffered significantly more acute incidents related to musculoskeletal disorders (5.4% vs. 4.8%, respectively), injuries to arms (11.3% vs. 9.8%), feet (8.4% vs. 8%), and back (0.9% vs. 0.7%). In the telephone survey, 61% and 43% reported that they performed monotonous work operations and heavy lifting often or very often, respec- tively. Thirty-three per cent had experienced pain in neck/shoulders/arms often or very often during the previous 12 months, and 93% believed this was fully or partly due to their work situation. The questionnaire among trawler crew members showed that 57% and 60% had experienced stiffness and/or pain in neck/ /shoulders and lower back/small of the back respectively during the previous 12 months. 

Conclusions: Data from the register study, telephone survey and questionnaire all confirmed that musculo- skeletal problems are common among fishers and related to their work situation. However, 77% of the fishers in all vessel groups and on board the 5 trawlers reported their own health as being very good or good. 

Abstract

Background: Fishers exposed to unfavourable environmental conditions may suffer negative health ef- fects. This study aimed to identify musculoskeletal symptoms in professional fishers in Norway using data from several sources; register data, telephone survey and questionnaire.

Materials and methods: Professional fishers (n = 25,971) registered in the period 2008–2013 were selected by Statistics Norway (SSB). An age- and gender-matched control population (n = 77,913) was also selected. Outpatient consultation and hospitalisation data were received from the Norwegian Patient Registry (NPR). To obtain information about self-reported symptoms, 832 registered fishers on board Norwegian fishing vessels were interviewed by telephone, and a questionnaire was distributed to the crews of 5 trawlers (n = 153). 

Results: Data from NPR showed that fishers, compared to the control population, suffered significantly more acute incidents related to musculoskeletal disorders (5.4% vs. 4.8%, respectively), injuries to arms (11.3% vs. 9.8%), feet (8.4% vs. 8%), and back (0.9% vs. 0.7%). In the telephone survey, 61% and 43% reported that they performed monotonous work operations and heavy lifting often or very often, respec- tively. Thirty-three per cent had experienced pain in neck/shoulders/arms often or very often during the previous 12 months, and 93% believed this was fully or partly due to their work situation. The questionnaire among trawler crew members showed that 57% and 60% had experienced stiffness and/or pain in neck/ /shoulders and lower back/small of the back respectively during the previous 12 months. 

Conclusions: Data from the register study, telephone survey and questionnaire all confirmed that musculo- skeletal problems are common among fishers and related to their work situation. However, 77% of the fishers in all vessel groups and on board the 5 trawlers reported their own health as being very good or good. 

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Keywords

fishing; musculoskeletal disorders; registries; telephone survey; questionnaire; occupational health

About this article
Title

Musculoskeletal symptoms among workers in the commercial fishing fleet of Norway

Journal

International Maritime Health

Issue

Vol 70, No 2 (2019)

Article type

Original article

Pages

100-106

Published online

2019-06-25

Page views

2018

Article views/downloads

864

DOI

10.5603/IMH.2019.0016

Pubmed

31237669

Bibliographic record

IMH 2019;70(2):100-106.

Keywords

fishing
musculoskeletal disorders
registries
telephone survey
questionnaire
occupational health

Authors

Mariann Sandsund
Anita Øren
Trine Thorvaldsen
Ingunn Holmen
Signe Sønvisen
Cecilie Thon Heidelberg
Lisbeth Aasmoe

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