Risk-taking behaviours among fishermen in Morocco by the evaluation of “ordalique” functioning

Abstract

no-ordalique ones: tobacco (54.5% vs. 48.6%, p < 0.035), alcohol (42.8% vs. 32.4%, p < 0.0001), cannabis (34.8% vs. 26.6%, p < 0.0001), psychotropic drugs (13.8% vs. 10.4%, p < 0.081) and a combination of toxic habits (27.7% vs. 19.6%, p < 0.0001

Prevalence of chronic obstructive respiratory diseases amongst fishermen

“…In our study, the prevalence of tobacco smoking was 46.6%, cannabis smoking 29.9% and alcohol consumption 38.3%. Two other surveys [15,16], the first relating to risk behaviours and the second to the consumption of addictive substances among Moroccan fishermen, showed similarly high rates of tobacco smoking (58.5% and 52.3%), cannabis smoking (36.2% and 31.7%) and alcohol consumption (36.5% and 38.9%). These prevalences are significantly higher than the general male population over the age of 20, which are respectively 34.5%, 9% and 14% [13].…”

“…In these countries, risk-taking behaviour among artisanal fishermen is still an observational epidemiological reality, associated with significant morbidity and mortality. These dangerous behaviours are very diverse and include high prevalence of psychoactive substance use [15,16]. Addictive behaviours (particularly smoking tobacco and cannabis) are very common among the fishermen who suffer of health problems and poor access to healthcare utilities.…”

“…According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), in 2020, if no preventive action is taken, the number of victims of tobacco in developing countries could reach 70% of the total number of victims around the world and COPD will be the third cause of deaths [14]. Given the frequency and severity of these conditions in the general population, we found it useful to screen fishermen particularly exposed to the severe weather and the danger of the Strait of Gibraltar and known for their heavy consumption of tobacco, cannabis and alcohol [15][16][17]. The objective of this study was to estimate the prevalence of respiratory symptoms and diseases and obstructive ventilatory defects (OVD) among seafarers in Morocco.…”

Prevalence of consumption of psychoactive substances amongst dockers

“…The prevalence among handlers was as high as in administrative staff on land working in the maritime sector: 39.5% for tobacco smoking, 15.5% for cannabis, and 28.6% for alcohol. They were significantly lower than among Moroccan fishermen [10]. Three studies conducted in this population in 2014, 2016 and 2017 showed 58.8%, 52.3% and 46.6% for tobacco smoking respectively, 36.2%, 31.7% and 37.4% for cannabis smoking and 36.5%, 38.9% and 42.5% for alcohol consumption.…”

“…The prevalence of toxic habits is constantly increasing in developing countries and all occupational sectors are affected [2][3][4][5][6][7][8][9][10]. All psychoactive substances cause a disorder of alertness, a change in the perception of risk and/or an increased risk-taking with consequences in terms of public health, occupational medicine, and safety at workplace [11].…”