Abstract
BackgroundSeafarers play an important role in the transmission of communicable diseases. The aim of the present study is to draw information and identify possible gaps on occupational health practices related to seafarers sailing on ships within the European Union Member States (EU MS) with focus on communicable diseases.MethodsA structured questionnaire was sent to competent authorities from 21 EU MS. The questionnaire included questions about occupational health policies, medical certification of seafarers, communicable diseases reporting and relevant legislation. Descriptive analysis of the data was conducted by the use of Epi Info software: EU MS were categorized in four priority groups (A, B, C, D) based on: number of passenger ships visits, volume of passengers, and number of ports in each country. Moreover, EU MS were categorized to old and new, based on the date of entry in the EU.ResultsAll 21 countries with relevant competent authorities responded to the questionnaire. The existence of specific national legislation/regulation/guidelines related to vaccination of seafarers was reported by three out of the 21 (14%) responding authorities. Surveillance data of communicable diseases related to seafarers are collected and analyzed by 4 (19%) authorities. Five out of 21 of the responding countries (24%) reported that tuberculin test result is required for the issuance of seafarer's medical certificate while a great variety of medical examination is required for the issuance of this certificate among countries.Gaps on occupational health services focused on communicable diseases related to maritime occupation have been reported by 33% of the responding countries.Responding authorities from Group A and B had the highest percentage of reported gaps followed by groups C and D. Old MS reported a higher frequency regarding gaps on occupational health services in comparison to new MS.ConclusionOur results revealed heterogeneity regarding occupational health of maritime employees in EU MS. This work provides some evidence that further work at international and European level could be considered, in order to explore the potential for harmonized initiatives regarding occupational health of seafarers.
Highlights
Seafarers play an important role in the transmission of communicable diseases
The questionnaire included questions on: a) national legislation or regulation, or guideline for occupational health of seafarers, b) the existence of additional institutions next to the national public health institutions where communicable diseases of seafarers are reported, c) the collection and central analysis of surveillance of communicable diseases data related to seafarers, d) the vaccination of maritime employees, beside Yellow fever which is mandatory under IHR 2005 [11], e) the issuance of seafarer’s certificates, f) medical examination of food handlers who are employed to work on ships and gaps on occupational health services provided to seafarers with focus on communicable diseases
Four out of 21 (19%) European Union Member States (EU MS) (Croatia, Malta, Italy and Poland) reported the existence of additional institutions next to the national public health institutions where communicable diseases of seafarers are reported to Table 1
Summary
The aim of the present study is to draw information and identify possible gaps on occupational health practices related to seafarers sailing on ships within the European Union Member States (EU MS) with focus on communicable diseases. The morbidity of maritime employees in the period of globalization is an important issue for occupational health care in the shipping industry [2,3]. Seafarers by nature of their work are exposed to a variety of occupational hazards making exposure to biological agents and the concomitant risk of communicable diseases extremely important within this working group [5]. Maritime employees can travel to various geographical areas, far away from their own countries. They are at risk of contracting infectious diseases at ports of call in different countries. The possibility that a seafarer may transmit biological agents to other persons, could be associated with public health implications, and contribute to trans-national transmission of communicable diseases
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