SEA LIFE
EFFECTS ON HEALTH OF PAKISTANI SEAFARERS
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.29309/TPMJ/2018.25.01.550Keywords:
Seafarer, Sea Social Stress, Physical Stress, Psychosocial StressAbstract
Objectives: To have a look on the effect of sea life by checking blood pressure
and testing blood fasting sugar, total cholesterol, HDL and triglycerides of the sea farers
deployed on different positions at ship. Study design: This was a cross sectional descriptive
and clinical study. Setting: Port Health Department, Kemari, Karachi. Period: 1st October
2016 to 22 April 2017. Methods: Random sampling was done and a total 62 personnel from
different branches of ships were selected. The study subjects aged ≥ 25 belonging to different
shipping companies were called at Port health dispensary for collection of blood sample and
checking of blood pressure. Height and weight measurement was done and also smoking
history was revealed. Blood Tests, fasting sugar, HDL, Cholesterol, and Triglycerides were
performed. Results: Overall the age range was 25 – 55 years and a mean of +/- SD of 38.95
+/- 8.57. Maximum population was of the age group 36 – 45 years. Hypertension both systolic
and diastolic in all seafarer (100%) was the main findings. HDL and Triglycerides were also
found grossly raised. Age, height, weight, and smoking history data showed non-significant
(P>0.05) results. Also, Professional categories and laboratory findings results were not found
significant P >0.05. Conclusion: Seafaring is one of the hard profession which terribly affect
the health of sea farers. Preventive measures at primary and secondary level to be organized
and implemented.
