Citation

Kaustell KO, Mattila TEA, Hurme T, Salmi PS, Rautiainen RH. Int. Marit. Health 2017; 68(4): 196-202.

Affiliation

Natural Resources Institute Finland (Luke), PO Box 2, FI-00791 Helsinki, Finland. kim.kaustell@luke.fi.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2017, International Maritime Health Association, Publisher Via Medica)

DOI

10.5603/IMH.2017.0037

PMID

29297570

Abstract

Fishing is a hazardous occupation worldwide. Commercial fishers in Finland are an aging and diminishing population with a high injury rate. Insurance claims data for self-employed Finnish commercial fishers during the years 1996 through 2015 (n = 1951) were analysed to assess predictors for occupational injuries and diseases. Out of the available variables, fishery location, career length, and participation in the voluntary occupational health service programme were not significant predictors. Male gender (OR 2.02; 95% CI 1.37-2.99), Finnish mother tongue vs. Swedish (OR 1.98, 95% CI 1.53-2.55), and higher income levels from fishing (four income categories, OR range: 1.71-3.53) were associated with higher odds for a compensated occupational injury or disease claim among commercial fishers in the final multivariate model. The identified risk groups could be targeted for interventions, and the content of the occupational health service programme should be developed to gain protective effect.

Language: en

Keywords

commercial fishing; demographic factors; occupational safety