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Psychoactive substances consumption in French fishermen and merchant seamen

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International Archives of Occupational and Environmental Health Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Objectives

The aim of this study is to assess tobacco consumption, nicotine dependence as diagnosed by Fagerström test, alcohol consumption, alcohol dependence as diagnosed by CAGE questionnaire and drug consumption in French seamen. Results are presented according to job category: fishermen and merchant seamen.

Methods

French seamen were recruited from a stratified survey of 19 ports in France. Subjects completed a questionnaire during their annual medical check-up. The questionnaire covered demographic and professional items, tobacco, alcohol and drug consumption behaviour. Nicotine and alcohol dependence were, respectively, assessed by the Fagerström Test for Nicotine Dependence (FTND) and a French version of the CAGE questionnaire. A urine test was used to detect cannabis derivatives.

Results

Prevalence rates for current smoking and daily alcohol consumption were higher in fishermen than merchant seamen. The prevalence of nicotine dependence on FTND was likewise higher in fisherman smokers, who also showed more intense smoking behaviour. The category of seamen did not correlate with alcohol addiction, but differences in alcohol-related behaviour emerged between fishermen and merchant seamen. Prevalence of cannabis and other drug use was higher in merchant seamen, although the two categories of seaman did not differ with respect to recent use of cannabis. Demographic factors cannot fully explain these differences, as multivariate analysis showed significantly greater risks in marine fisheries.

Conclusions

Alcohol and tobacco consumption are a major public health problem for seafarers. Fishermen seem to be more liable to high consumption. Working conditions may explain these differences.

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Acknowledgments

The authors thank Occupational physicians and nurses of Occupational Maritime Health department for their implications in the collection of data from the survey of French seamen. Funding for this study was provided by Occupational Maritime Health department (Service de santé des gens de mer). Study design and data collection was performed by Occupational Maritime Health department. It had no further role in analysis and interpretation of data and in the decision to submit the paper for publication.

Conflict of interest statement

All authors declare that they have no conflicts of interest.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Université de Lyon, 69003, Lyon, France

    Emmanuel Fort, Amélie Massardier-Pilonchéry & Alain Bergeret

  2. Université Lyon 1, UMRESTTE (Joint Unit INRETS/UCLB/InVS), Domaine Rockefeller, 69373, Lyon, France

    Emmanuel Fort, Amélie Massardier-Pilonchéry & Alain Bergeret

  3. Hospices Civils de Lyon, Service des Maladies Professionnelles, Centre Hospitalier Lyon Sud, 69495, Pierre Bénite, France

    Amélie Massardier-Pilonchéry & Alain Bergeret

  4. UMRESTTE, Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, Médecine et Santé au Travail, 8 avenue Rockefeller, 69373, Lyon CEDEX 08, France

    Emmanuel Fort

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  1. Emmanuel Fort
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  2. Amélie Massardier-Pilonchéry
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  3. Alain Bergeret
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Correspondence to Emmanuel Fort.

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Fort, E., Massardier-Pilonchéry, A. & Bergeret, A. Psychoactive substances consumption in French fishermen and merchant seamen. Int Arch Occup Environ Health 83, 497–509 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00420-009-0473-y

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00420-009-0473-y

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