Awareness of health risks at the workplace and of risks of contracting communicable diseases including those related to food hygiene, among seafarers.

Background. The awareness of health risks on board ships in terms of knowledge of dangers and discomfort at the workplace, and of risks of contracting communicable diseases including those related to food hygiene was assessed in a sample of workers of an Italian shipping company. Analysis was performed on crew members and on ashore personnel of the same firm to assess possible differences in risk perception. Materials and methods. The study was conducted by proposing an anonymous questionnaire to the crew members of 9 tankers and to the office staff of the shipping company Finaval S.p.A., which has its headquarters in Rome. Results. People living ashore have a better knowledge of infectious risks than seafarers. Both ashore workers and seafarers have a reasonable awareness of blood-borne and sexually-transmitted diseases. Seafarers are more concerned about the risks of psychological problems due to isolation than are office personnel. The risk of not being adequately cared for in case of disease or injury on board is also perceived as a major problem by seafarers. Ashore personnel, eating raw fish more than their mates on board, are at a greater risk of communicable gastrointestinal diseases. Conclusions. Seafarers should be the target of specific informative campaigns about health risks, possible consequences, and how to minimize exposure to them during travel/life at sea.