Occupational hazards and injuries prevalent among fish handlers in tanji and banjul fishing communities, The Gambia

Fish handlers are exposed to a variety of hazards and injuries during their various activities. These hazards may be physical, chemical, biological, ergonomic, and psychosocial. This study documented various hazards and injuries common among fishermen and fish processors. A two-stage random sampling design was used and Tanji and Banjul were purposively selected, followed by a selection of 231 Fish handlers. Focus group discussions and interviewer-administered questionnaires were used to collect data on the various hazards and injuries common among them. Data were analyzed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS 20.0). Descriptive statistics were used to summarize the data. An analytical statistic test was used to test for association using the chi-square at a 95% significant level. Most of the reported hazards common to fish handlers in Tanji and Banjul were cuts (64.9% and 84.4%); stings from fish (74.0% and 64.9 %); the rough sea (48.7% and 64.9%); heat and cold (70.8% and 68.8%); bites (63.0% and 74.0%) aggressive customers (62.3% and 77.9%). the common perceived injuries sustained during fishing and fish processing among the fish handlers were cuts and lacerations (95.5% and 93.5%): puncture wounds (72.7% and 76.7%); sprains and fractures (70.8% and 80.5%); muscles strain and pains (79.2% and 85.7%); foreign objects in the eyes (63.6% and 58.4%) and sting from fish spines (85.7% and 94.8%). The comparison of the most common injuries and hazards between fish handlers in Tanji and Banjul Community were significant Occupational hazards and injuries are preventable during fishing and fish processing. Training and enforcement of safety in the workplace can significantly reduce these hazards.