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An analysis of the respiratory health status among seafarers in the Russian trawler and merchant fleets
Author(s) -
Shiryaeva Olga,
Aasmoe Lisbeth,
Straume Bjørn,
Bang Berit Elisabeth
Publication year - 2011
Publication title -
american journal of industrial medicine
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.7
H-Index - 104
eISSN - 1097-0274
pISSN - 0271-3586
DOI - 10.1002/ajim.20978
Subject(s) - medicine , environmental health , respiratory system , occupational safety and health , occupational medicine , occupational exposure , aeronautics , psychiatry , pathology , engineering
Objectives Trawler fishermen and merchant seafarers have tough working conditions. While workers in both occupations are exposed to a challenging environment, trawler fishermen are also engaged in onboard fish processing, which is considered to be additional exposure. The aim of the present study was to characterize respiratory health status in both groups of seamen. Methods In total 127 trawler fishermen and 118 merchant seafarers were enrolled during their regular medical health examinations. The study protocol comprised a standardized questionnaire, lung function test and measurements of fractional nitric oxide concentrations (FE NO ) in exhaled air. Results Doctor‐diagnosed asthma was reported only by trawler fishermen (3.9%, P < 0.05, Pearson Chi‐square test). Adjusted odds ratios (OR) of respiratory symptoms were more often elevated in trawler fishermen compared to merchant seafarers. Trawler fishermen had reduced spirometric parameters: FEV 1 % of predicted values (adjusted β: −5.28, 95%CI: −9.28 to −1.27), FVC % of predicted values (adjusted β: −5.21, 95%CI: −9.25 to −1.17). Increased OR of the work‐related cough with phlegm (OR: 6.6, 95% CI: 1.8–21.9), running nose (OR: 3.0, 95%CI: 1.2–7.7), and frequent sneezing (OR: 3.4, 95%CI: 1.0–12.7) were found among those trawler workers whose work tasks included filleting of fish. FE NO levels were not significantly different between trawler and merchant seamen. Conclusions The present study indicated that trawler fishermen exhibited impaired lung function and were more likely to have asthma. The environment of the onboard factories where fishermen fillet fish is suggested as a risk factor for work‐related respiratory symptoms. Am. J. Ind. Med. 54:971–979, 2011. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.