Occupational stressors, risks and health in the seafaring population

Abstract

According to the latest assessment of the global supply and demand for seafarers (BIMCO/ISF, 2010), worldwide supply of seafarers is estimated to be 1 371 000, i.e., 624 000 officers and 747 000 ratings or crew members. BIM-CO/ISF (2010) show continued positive trends in both demand and supply of seafarers despite the global economic downturn, but it also reflects significant increases in seafarers from some countries, particularly China, India and the Philippines, as well as in several European countries. The current main suppliers of officers and ratings are OECD countries (29.4% of officers and 19.2% of ratings in global supply) and Far East (19.2% of officers and 36.7% of ratings in global supply). Eastern Europe, with 20.3% of officers and 14.6% of ratings, becomes also labour supplying region of increasing importance. According to BICMO/ISF (2010) the supply of officers worldwide is lower than the demand by 2%. Analysis of international seafarers' market shows that over recent decades there has been a decline in number of seafarers from developed countries, and this decline along with a desire to reduce labour unit costs, created increasing demands for seafarers from developing countries, Occupational stressors, risks and health in the seafaring population ANA SLIŠKOVIĆ and ZVJEZDAN PENEZIĆPrevious studies indicate that the most important stressors in the seafaring population are: long-term separation from home and families; loneliness and social isolation; work-related stressors (high workload and long working hours, low control and work-role conflict), and environmental stressors related to life on board. The seafaring population is also subject to many risks, especially those relating to accidents and injuries, pirate incidents, morbidity from infectious diseases, the limited ability to provide medical aid on board, and an increased risk of cancer. Studies of seafarers' mortality indicate that this population is still characterized by a high risk of fatal accident, diseases that are the results of an unhealthy lifestyle, and also by the high level of suicides in the seafaring population, which could be seen as a reflection of impaired mental health. The physical health of seafarers has been the subject of numerous studies, which have focused mostly on cardiovascular diseases and cancer. On the other hand, the mental health and psychological well-being of seafarers are relatively less well-explored. Finally, the paper gives some guidance for further studies, as well as recommendations for minimizing the negative effects of occupational stressors and risks on seafarers' health.

Stereotypes and health literacy in seafarers: views of the students of medicine and maritime science on contraception

“…The regression analysis has confirmed the second assumption and it has been found out that the knowledge about the research subject is a more important variable than the sex affiliation. The students at the Faculty of Maritime Studies in Split were involved in the survey because a part of their curriculum refers to health education, provided in the courses in First aid and Medicine for seafarers, as well as due to the risks associated with living separately from their families [2,14,15]. The research results have confirmed the importance of health literacy and continuing education of the young population with the purpose of sex disease prevention, reproductive health care and, consequently, improvement of the demographic image of the nation.…”

“…Seafaring is characterised by specific psycho-social, mental and physical stressors such as long periods away from home, isolation, long working hours, fatigue, lack of shore leave, high levels of work related stress, exposure to toxic and hazardous substances, communicable diseases, impaired treatment options for cardiovascular diseases, and dangers of piracy [1][2][3].…”

Unified Tanker Survey and Inspection Regime in Terms of Reducing Psychophysical Strain of the Crew

“…Fatigue is often a result of a work-related stress and can depend on the complexity of the work and the number of crew units, the sample proportions p 1 [7]. Shift work, especially night work has been recognized as an important factor in the development of insomnia, as well as other serious diseases such as gastrointestinal and cardiovascular ones [8]. Typical symptoms of stress, such as insomnia, lack of concentration, anxiety, frustration, anger and headache affect the quality of work-related tasks [6].…”

A qualitative study on physical health threatening factors of Iranian seafarers working on ocean going tankers

“…Fereshteh Baygi et al, Physical health threatening factors of Iranian seafarer health [7]. In some quantitative studies physical health of seafarers with focus on cancer and cardiovascular diseases was assessed [8].…”