Online first
Review article
Published online: 2025-01-16

open access

Page views 250
Article views/downloads 147
Get Citation

Connect on Social Media

Connect on Social Media

Factors influencing the occurrence of infectious diseases among crew members on board cruise ships: a systematic review

Sheila Siame1, Despoina Andrioti Bygvraa1, Lynn M. Hulse Hulse2, Varvara Mouchtouri3, Christos Hadjichristodoulou3

Abstract

Infectious diseases have been reported to adversely affect industries including tourism. Understanding
the knowledge, attitudes, and practices of at-risk populations is crucial to implementing successful preventive
and mitigative measures. This systematic review aimed to identify factors that affect the spread
of infectious diseases among crew members on board cruise ships. A systematic search of Scopus, Web
of Science, and Google Scholar was conducted, and nine studies were included in the final analysis. Findings
revealed good knowledge levels, but misconceptions about transmission were common. Discriminatory
attitudes and risky behaviors were also reported. Primary sources of information included the media,
participatory educative sessions, healthcare providers and family and friends. There is a need to prioritize
the initiation of participatory-focused health literacy interventions to enhance knowledge, and attitudes
to modify the behavior of seafarers in relation to infectious diseases.

Article available in PDF format

View PDF Download PDF file

References

  1. Morens DM, Fauci AS. Emerging pandemic diseases: How we got to COVID-19. Cell. 2020; 182(5): 1077–1092.
  2. McCloskey B, Dar O, Zumla A, et al. Emerging infectious diseases and pandemic potential: status quo and reducing risk of global spread. Lancet Infect Dis. 2014; 14(10): 1001–1010.
  3. Holmes KK, Bertozzi S, Bloom BR, Jha P, editors. Major Infectious Diseases [Internet]. 3rd ed. Washington (DC): The International Bank for Reconstruction and Development / The World Bank; 2017 [cited 2023 Jan 20]. Available from:. Available from: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK525197/.
  4. Halaji M, Farahani A, Ranjbar R, et al. Emerging coronaviruses: first SARS, second MERS and third SARS-CoV-2: epidemiological updates of COVID-19. Infez Med. 2020; 28(suppl 1): 6–17.
  5. Zumla A, Hui DS, Al-Tawfiq JA, et al. Emerging respiratory tract infections. Lancet Infect Dis. 2014; 14(10): 910–911.
  6. Jones KE, Patel NG, Levy MA, et al. Global trends in emerging infectious diseases. Nature. 2008; 451(7181): 990–993.
  7. The impact of COVID-19 on global health goals [Internet]. [cited 2023 Jan 20]. Available from:. https://www.who.int/news-room/spotlight/the-impact-of-covid-19-on-global-health-goals.
  8. Cucinotta D, Vanelli MW. Declares COVID-19 a Pandemic. Acta Bio-Medica Atenei Parm. 2020 Mar 19. ; 91(1): 157–60.
  9. Yang E. The Lasting Consequences of Lockdowns | AIER [Internet]. [cited 2023 Jan 21]. Available from:. https://www.aier.org/article/the-lasting-consequences-of-lockdowns/.
  10. World Health Organization (WHO). International travel and health: situation as on 1 January 2012. Geneva: WHO; 2012. Available from:. http://apps.who.int/bookorders/MDIbookPDF/Book/18000079.pdf.
  11. Kak V. Infections on Cruise Ships. Microbiol Spectr. 2015; 3(4).
  12. Silva AL. An overview of the impact of COVID-19 on the cruise industry with considerations for Florida. Transp Res Interdiscip Perspect. 2021; 10: 100391.
  13. Michie S, West R. Behavioural, environmental, social, and systems interventions against covid-19. BMJ. 2020; 370: m2982.
  14. Michie S, West R. Sustained behavior change is key to preventing and tackling future pandemics. Nat Med. 2021; 27(5): 749–752.
  15. Behavioural and social sciences are critical for pandemic prevention, preparedness and response [Internet]. [cited 2023 Jan 21]. Available from:. https://www.who.int/news-room/commentaries/detail/behavioural-and-social-sciences-are-critical-for-pandemic-prevention-preparedness-and-response.
  16. World Health Organization, Stop TB Partnership. Advocacy, communication and social mobilization for TB control: a guide to developing knowledge, attitude and practice surveys. 2008 [cited 2023 Jan 21];(WHO/HTM/STB/2008.46). Available from:. https://apps.who.int/iris/handle/10665/43790.
  17. Alzghoul BI, Abdullah NA. Pain management practices by nurses: an application of the knowledge, attitude and practices (KAP) model. Glob J Health Sci. 2015; 8(6): 154–160.
  18. Liao X, Nguyen T, Sasaki N. Use of the knowledge, attitude, and practice (KAP) model to examine sustainable agriculture in Thailand. Reg Sustain. 2022; 3(1): 41–52.
  19. Page M, McKenzie J, Bossuyt P, et al. The PRISMA 2020 statement: an updated guideline for reporting systematic reviews. BMJ. 2021; 372(n71).
  20. Porritt K, Gomersall J, Lockwood C. JBI's systematic reviews: study selection and critical appraisal. Am J Nurs. 2014; 114(6): 47–52.
  21. Battineni G, Sagaro GG, Chintalapudi N, et al. Assessment of awareness and knowledge on novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic among seafarers. Healthcare (Basel). 2021; 9(2).
  22. Jovicevic L, Parlic M, Stevanovic J, et al. Awareness of HIV/AIDS and other sexually transmitted infections among the Montenegrin seafarers. Vojnosanitetski pregled. 2019; 76(1): 24–29.
  23. Guevara N, Pineda M, Dorotan M, et al. Cross-sectional survey on the knowledge, attitude and practice of male Filipino seafarers on sexual health. Int Marit Health. 2010; 62(4): 224–232.
  24. Faye A, Faye MD, Leye MM, et al. Étude des déterminants des rapports sexuels non protégés chez les marins de la marine marchande sénégalaise. Bull Société Pathol Exot. 2014; 107(2): 115–120.
  25. Obiageli U, Osuolale K, Owolewa R, et al. Knowledge, attitude, and perception of COVID-19 among Maritime Workers in the United Kingdom and Nigeria during the First Wave of the Pandemic. J Biosci Med. 2021; 09(06): 114–126.
  26. Saniel OP, De los Reyes SJ. Prevalence of risky behaviours and determinants of multiple sex partnerships among male Filipino seafarers. Int Marit Health. 2010; 62(4): 215–223.
  27. Robate M, Toatu T, Kirition R, et al. Sexual behaviour of Kiribati seafarers: second generation surveillance in 2005 and 2008. Int Marit Health. 2010; 62(4): 195–200.
  28. Grappasonni I, Paci P, Mazzucchi F, et al. Survey on HIV risk perception and sexual behaviours among seafarers. Int Marit Health. 2011; 62(2): 131–137.
  29. Laraqui S, Laraqui O, Manar N, et al. The assessment of seafarers' knowledge, attitudes and practices related to STI/HIV/AIDS in northern Morocco. Int Marit Health. 2017; 68(1): 26–30.
  30. Reny T, Barreto M. Xenophobia in the time of pandemic: othering, anti-Asian attitudes, and COVID-19. Politics, Groups, and Identities. 2020; 10(2): 209–232.
  31. Altaf Chowdhury SA, Smith J, Trowsdale S, et al. HIV/AIDS, health and wellbeing study among International Transport Workers' Federation (ITF) seafarer affiliates. Int Marit Health. 2016; 67(1): 42–50.