Occupational Health Risk Factors and Safety Assessment of Hilsa Fishermen of the Lower Meghna River, Bangladesh

Abstract:

This study was undertaken to assess the occupational health hazard and safety of fishermen community at Chairman Ghat fish landing center under Hatiya sub-district in Noakhali district. Between October 2019 to March, data was collected using pre-tested structured questionnaires for interviews with fishermen. All types of primary data and information were collected through household questionnaire survey, group discussion and local leader interview. Published journal paper, conference paper, books and news article are the secondary data sources for the research. Tropical cyclone is the severe most hazards during fishing because it acts like extreme life threatening event in the river. The study found that most of the fishermen do not use proper clean water on the boat during fishing where 68% of the fishermen use river for their daily working and drinking purposes. The study founds that they face some physical problems during fishing like dizziness, vomit, fever, abdominal pain, skin disease, red eye problem, acidity. Participants suffered mainly from skin disease (48%), red eye problem (78%), musculoskeletal pain (68%) and fever (24%).Traditionally they are practicing a few safety measures like carrying medicine for temporary health problems and carrying lifebuoy, raincoat etcetera for ensuring protection from natural hazards which are not sufficient according to their occupation. Most of the fishermen are not aware of their health. The knowledge gap of the fishermen and insufficient material support are the main constraints for their health/life safety.