Evaluation of occupational health management status and safety issues of the small-scale fisheries sector in Bangladesh.

BACKGROUND: Small-scale fishing is one of the most precarious occupations, with high rates of threats and hazards. The present study was undertaken to evaluate the health hazards and safety issues of fishers involved in small-scale fisheries (SSF). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Fifty SSF fishers (n = 50) were surveyed by using a pre-tested questionnaire between October 2019 and March 2020 at the lower Meghna River in the northern tip of the Bay of Bengal, Bangladesh. RESULTS: Results revealed that 56% of SSF fishermen belong to a nuclear family, and 42% completed primary education. Forty per cent had an annual income of between 1,000 and 1,500 USD. Seventy-six per cent of fishermen were found to suffer from fever, and 72%, and 60% from diarrhoea and skin diseases over the last 5 years (2015-2020), respectively. During fishing, 78% of fishermen also suffered from red-eye problems, dizziness, and headache, and 68% struggled with musculoskeletal complaints during the last 5 years. Extreme cyclonic occurrences and sudden storms were experienced by 66% and 32% of fishermen, respectively, during the last 5 years. Local pharmacies were visited by 46% of fishermen for treatment due to ease of access. Sixty-four per cent of participants applied their local indigenous knowledge to treat health-related problems. Twenty-eight per cent and 32% of fishermen used a first aid box and stored medicine on board, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Most of the fishers are in great risk of medium- to high-range danger while fishing in the SSF sector in Bangladesh. Many countries have developed protocols for safe and responsible fishing. In Bangladesh, adequate attention is needed for the sustainable development of the SSF sector.

Assessment of food safety knowledge, attitudes and practices of fish farmers and restaurants food handlers in Bangladesh.

The study was conducted to assess the present status of knowledge, attitudes and practices (KAP) concerning the food safety and hygiene issues among fish farmers and food handlers in Noakhali, Bangladesh. Data were collected from 100 respondents (50 fish farmers and 50 food handlers) through face to face interviews. All the respondents agreed that training on hygiene practices was necessary and they were interested to attend training in their spare time. Food handlers (88%) agreed that raw foods must be kept separate from prepared foods and 68% of them believed that improper preservation of foods is harmful to health. About 52% of farmers used a face mask when spreading insecticides, fertilizers, and chemicals. Food handlers were wearing protective clothing (32%) and masks (12%) when touching and distributing unwrapped foods, however no handlers used a cap. A significant strong correlation coefficient (rs) was found between knowledge with attitudes, knowledge with practices and attitudes with practices of 0.73-0.99 among the three domains for fish farmers and food handlers. The correlation among the three levels was satisfactory, however, some food safety concepts and practices regarding hygiene were still insufficient. Therefore, an effective and appropriate training program on food safety and hygiene should be launched in a holistic approach for all fish farmers and food handlers to increase awareness and ensure safe food for consumers with a view to reducing the possibility of disease outbreak.