Fred Bernardes Filho1, Andreia de Oliveira Alves2, Loan Towersey3, Roderick Hay4, Andreas Montag5, Ana L F Coutinho6, Omar Lupi7, Josafá G Barreto8,9, Marco A C Frade1. 1. Dermatology Division, Department of Medical Clinics, Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo, Brazil. 2. Medical School, Centro Universitário Barão de Mauá, Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo, Brazil. 3. AIDS Division, Carlos Tortelly Municipal Hospital, Ministry of Health, Niteroi, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. 4. International Foundation for Dermatology, London, UK. 5. Independent Dermatologist Consultant, Hamburg, Germany. 6. Instituto de Dermatologia Professor Rubem David Azulay, Santa Casa da Misericórdia do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. 7. Dermatology Department, Gaffree and Guinle University Hospital, Federal University of the State of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. 8. Dermato-Immunology Laboratory, Federal University of Pará, Marituba, Pará, Brazil. 9. Spatial Epidemiology Laboratory, Federal University of Pará, Castanhal, Pará, Brazil.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Fishing is an important economic activity worldwide, but there are only a few studies on the skin health of fishermen. Daily activities in fishing communities expose fishermen to risks of traumatic, actinic, and sea dermatoses. METHODS: A semi-structured questionnaire was applied to 388 fishermen from 2014 to 2015 at their workplace (Z-8 to Z-13 fishing communities). The data collected were evaluated for descriptive analysis. In the bivariate analysis of the data, the Pearson chi-square test was used. The multinomial logistic regression was used to obtain estimates of odds ratios and adjusted confidence intervals for confounding variables. RESULTS: Three hundred and nine (79.6%) fishermen reported accidents during their fishing activity. The main fish species implicated were Genidens genidens and Scorpaena brasiliensis. Inappropriate or potentially harmful traditional treatments without scientific evidence of efficacy were recorded as main/auxiliary treatment. Other significant skin injuries were due to trauma from fishing tackle and exposure to ultraviolet radiation. Three hundred and twenty (82.5%) fishermen reported that they had never used any sun protective devices or sunscreen. CONCLUSIONS: Traumatic injuries due to fish stings were the most common accidents in this group. Despite chronic occupational sun exposure and its hazards, most fishermen did not adopt any method of photoprotection. Health educational activities as well as a specific health program for these professionals are necessary to improve the health of fishermen in Guanabara Bay area.
BACKGROUND: Fishing is an important economic activity worldwide, but there are only a few studies on the skin health of fishermen. Daily activities in fishing communities expose fishermen to risks of traumatic, actinic, and sea dermatoses. METHODS: A semi-structured questionnaire was applied to 388 fishermen from 2014 to 2015 at their workplace (Z-8 to Z-13 fishing communities). The data collected were evaluated for descriptive analysis. In the bivariate analysis of the data, the Pearson chi-square test was used. The multinomial logistic regression was used to obtain estimates of odds ratios and adjusted confidence intervals for confounding variables. RESULTS: Three hundred and nine (79.6%) fishermen reported accidents during their fishing activity. The main fish species implicated were Genidens genidens and Scorpaena brasiliensis. Inappropriate or potentially harmful traditional treatments without scientific evidence of efficacy were recorded as main/auxiliary treatment. Other significant skin injuries were due to trauma from fishing tackle and exposure to ultraviolet radiation. Three hundred and twenty (82.5%) fishermen reported that they had never used any sun protective devices or sunscreen. CONCLUSIONS:Traumatic injuries due to fish stings were the most common accidents in this group. Despite chronic occupational sun exposure and its hazards, most fishermen did not adopt any method of photoprotection. Health educational activities as well as a specific health program for these professionals are necessary to improve the health of fishermen in Guanabara Bay area.
Authors: Amadou Barrow; Amadou Kongira; Musa Nget; Saikou Omar Sillah; Solomon Ps Jatta; Mansour Badjie; Rex A Kuye Journal: Environ Health Insights Date: 2022-03-23