Risk factors for fishermen’s health and safety in Greece

Abstract

Background: This is, to the best of our knowledge, the first occupational health study in Greek fishing.<br/>Aim: The aim of the study is to determine the risks for health and safety in Greek fisheries<br/>workers by exploring their health status and the health risk factors present in their occupational<br/>environment, thus providing a current baseline for further research in the future and for documentation<br/>of the needs for prevention.<br/>Materials and methods: A questionnaire pilot study was carried out in a random sample of 100 Greek<br/>fishermen.<br/>Results: Twenty-eight per cent (28%) had experienced at least one injury, of which half caused<br/>more than one day absence, while 14% had a near drowning experience. The health risks<br/>factors studied include excessive weight, cardiovascular incidents and dermatological, musculoskeletal,<br/>respiratory, hearing, stress, and anxiety problems. The occupational health risk factors<br/>include alcohol, fatty food consumption, smoking, and lack of physical exercise.<br/>Conclusions: The health effects observed are causally related to diet, smoking, and exercise,<br/>which in turn relate to the specific working conditions and culture in small-scale fishing that<br/>need to be taken into consideration in prevention programmes. The results are