Journal of Agromedicine最新文献

Objective: Farming tasks often involve repetitive movements, heavy lifting, awkward postures, and prolonged periods of standing or bending, all of which can contribute to the development of musculoskeletal issues (MSDs) such as back pain, joint pain, and muscle strains. The consequences include decreased work time, disability, and increased financial costs. Various ergonomic risk evaluation techniques have been created for industrial fields, but there is a shortage of specific techniques for farming occupations. This study aims to offer an overview of the observational techniques of evaluate work-related ergonomic risk factors among farmers.

Methods: Articles published beetween Mar 2010 to Nov 2023 were searched in scientific databases such as PubMed, Scopus, and Iranian databases. The Critical Appraisal Skills Program (CASP) was used to evaluate the quality of the articles. We removed unrelated articles using PRISMA statement guidelines and finally examined articles completely related to the study. Additionally, the GraySource and BASE databases were consulted to identify gray sources.

Results: Following three review stages 31 articles were ultimately included in the final analysis. Based on the assessment of article quality using the CASP checklist, the scores of 31 articles ranged from 6 to 10. The REBA stands out as the most commonly used technique. Additionally, sepecific techniques, like AULA, AWBA and ALLA, have been specifically designed to evaluate the ergonomic risk faced by farmers. Most of these techniques are limited to evaluating occupational factors and individual, environmental and psychosocial factors have not been investigated.

Conclusions: Considering the growth of agricultural jobs, it is essential to create new techniques and enhance the current ones. Additionally, given the complex nature of musculoskeletal disorders, it is crucial to take into account multiple factors (individual, occupational, environmental, and psychosocial) when developing risk assessment techniques.

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to document, understand, and communicate the daily activities and associated risks faced by artisanal fishers working on Lake Victoria, Tanzania, in order to identify opportunities for intervention design.

Methods: Established human-centered design techniques were combined with drowning risk analysis to create a process that visually captured and analyzed the risks to fishers in two lakeside communities engaged in long-line fishing (mostly by day) and net fishing at night.

Results: Two visual journey risk maps were developed. One map detailed the long-line fishing process for larger fish like Tilapia and Nile Perch, while the other focused on seine net fishing for dagaa at night. Each journey map covered the "before," "during," and "after" stages of fishing activities. For long-line fishers, preparation began early in the morning, including food and equipment collection, launching the boat, and setting long lines at the fishing site. Risk scenarios, such as storms or boat capsizing, were identified, with fishers often relying on makeshift flotation devices. For seine net fishers, the journey began in the afternoon with preparatory tasks at the fishing camp. Night fishing required the deployment of solar lamps to attract fish, followed by net casting. Risk factors like boat collisions, crew fatigue, and engine failure were noted. Both groups identified common risks and discussions around these journey risk maps emphasized the need for holistic safety interventions, including access to accurate weather forecasts, buoyancy devices, and formal safety training. The participatory mapping approach enabled fishers to provide valuable insights into how risks can be mitigated.

Conclusion: Small-scale artisanal fishers working on Lake Victoria face significant drowning risks. The design-led co-creation of visual journey risk maps with fishers and drowning prevention experts allows a deep understanding of livelihood journeys and associated risks. Opportunities for risk mitigation and intervention design are presented visually. Further research combining other design tools with scientific analysis could highlight points where control measures can be most effectively implemented, but this must be documented, and its impact and effectiveness evaluated. Interventions suggested by the process will be co-created and evaluated for effectiveness.

Objective: Our paper focuses on psychosocial risks that are under-researched within the fishing industry. The study was conducted in Denmark. Firstly, we investigated how Danish fishers perceive their psychosocial work environment. Secondly, we formed a group of industry partners and stakeholders with the purpose of designing ways to mitigate the reported stressors.

Methods: The study design is action research, employing qualitative co-creative methods for data collection in both the first and the second stages. The methods include chronicle workshops and design thinking workshops. Participants in the workshops came from different stakeholder groups, including fishers. We ensured that the focus remained on centering the voices of the fishers to understand the psychosocial risks within the industry context.

Results: In the first stage, we used thematic analysis, which led to the identification of ten themes: (1) discouragement, (2) stress, (3) poor economy, (4) negative atmosphere, (5) distrust, (6) injustice, (7) fear, (8) unpredictability, (9) powerlessness, and (10) lost pride. This study explored the key risks and highlighted that a lack of influence and meaning, reduced rewards, and increased unpredictability are likely to lead to increased stress in an environment that lacks social support.

Conclusion: Existing research into the psychosocial working environment has established six dimensions where an imbalance leads to negative health effects. They are sometimes referred to as "the 6 gold nuggets" where an imbalance leads to negative health effects. We compared our themes to these gold nuggets and identified a clear overlap, which gave us confidence in the relevance of our data. Through the workshops, we co-created six recommendations to address the reported risks and provide policymakers with actionable recommendations.

For many years, the International Fishing Industry Safety and Health Conference (IFISH) has focused on highlighting research, training and advocacy work and fostering collaboration among stakeholders to foster a healthier, safer seafood industry. While prior conferences have included many opportunities for trans-disciplinary discussions and problem-solving, the IFISH Planning Committee has been exploring the option of developing a platform for collaboration and information exchange in between events, which only happen every few years. At the IFISH 6 Conference, held at the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations in Rome, participants were invited to attend the "International IFISH Innovation Exchanges" post-conference workshop, which was held on the final day of the conference. The focus of the workshop was to get participant feedback on how to create a platform for collaboration in between conferences. This brief report provides an overview of the concept, participant feedback and the work that has been conducted post-conference to make the IFISH Innovation Exchange a reality.

Objective: In 2019/2020, the Brazilian coast was affected by the largest oil spill disaster affecting the extent of the coastline recorded in tropical oceans. The impact on fishing areas and the prohibition of seafood sales and consumption exacerbated small-scale fishers' vulnerability. The small-scale fishers (SSFs) were the most active in protecting fishing territories, carrying out cleanup efforts without adequate personal protective equipment. Following the disaster, they suffered significant economic losses, compromising food security, including consuming potentially unsafe seafood. About 5000 tons of oil residues were collected, mainly by artisanal fishers. This study aimed to describe and identify levels of exposure to oil spills in the artisanal fishers, the population affected by the disaster on the Brazilian coast.

Methods: This epidemiological cross-sectional study used a questionnaire containing 325 questions, administered to 959 artisanal fishers living in areas affected by the spill. The graded response model of the Item Response Theory (IRT) was used to classify the artisanal fishers regarding their level of exposure.

Results: The model identified three levels of exposure: low (17.5%), medium (19.8%), and high (7.6%) in oil removal and fishing activities.

Conclusions: This study demonstrated that SSFs residing in areas affected by the oil spill showed different levels of oil exposure during oil removal activities and fishing/shellfishing activities. The results highlight the need for environmental monitoring of fishing territories, prioritizing these populations in disaster preparedness training, and including social, health, and labor assistance policies during and after oil spill disasters. This study contributes to planning integrated solutions for small-scale fishing programs.

Objective: The fisheries sector is essential to the economies of developing countries, but it is a contributor to greenhouse gas emissions. Although emissions can be substantially reduced through energy efficiency measures, compliance with the Paris Agreement of 2015 requires further action through national frameworks for the decarbonization of fishing vessels. The objective of this paper is to explain the impact in greenhouse gas emissions from fishing vessels, discuss the possible regulatory indexes that could be made applicable to fishing vessels and how these ships can transition to alternative and low carbon fuels, identifying the main challenges in view of accident analysis and inspections.

Methods: It is recognized that mandatory indexes developed at the International Maritime Organisation are not feasible to apply, so new indexes are needed and possibly connected to fish captures. Most of these zero or near zero greenhouse gas emission fuels require technical and operational measures for accident prevention but, due to high rates of accidents related to fire, explosion and inhalation of gases, their use can lead to increase the rates of fatalities in an already dangerous profession. The main problem for their use is ventilation, enclosure of machinery spaces leading to preventive and design measures for the use of batteries and electricity and suitable training.

Conclusion: To avoid accidents, additional extra measures would be needed for fishing vessels. Therefore, to ease the transition towards new fuels those which are more similar to fossil marine diesels should be used; notwithstanding the use of other sources of energy such as solar and wind power.

Objective: Our paper focuses on the psychosocial risks faced by fishers in Aotearoa New Zealand, a sector with limited existing research on this topic. Using a culture-centered approach (CCA), we aimed to develop "voice infrastructure" to capture and present the voices of fishers, addressing the structural inequalities that can often leave fishers (like other marginalized groups) unheard. This paper focuses on the methodology of our pilot project that used a collaborative effort between academics, fishers, government, and non-government agencies, with the goal of understanding and mitigating the psychosocial risks within the commercial fishing industry.

Method: Phase 1 focused on building trust and personal relationships within the fishing community. We organized a day-long hui (meeting) in Nelson, a key fishing port, to facilitate open and flexible interactions. This setting allowed us to co-create the research design and instruments with the fishers, ensuring their perspectives were central to the study. The Copenhagen Psychosocial Risks Questionnaire (COPSOQ) was adapted in consultation with the fishers and piloted as survey (in phase 2) through a support network.

Results: Fishers acknowledged the need for wellbeing research and supported using the adapted COPSOQ. Data collection was inherently challenging in the fishing sector, due to the nature of the work with long shifts, limited communication, and minimal downtime. Trained mentors and counsellors administered the survey and ensured the process was fisher-centric and sensitive to their needs. Following data collection, a second hui (phase 3) was held to provide feedback to fishers about the survey results and review the process. This workshop aims to refine the methodology for potential national-scale implementation. The fishers emphasized the importance of sharing findings with them to ensure data accuracy before public reporting, aligning with the principles of CCA and co-creation of "voice infrastructures."

Conclusion: Our study demonstrates the feasibility and importance of using a culture-centered approach in the fishing sector. By involving fishers in every step of the process, we aimed to create a more accurate and comprehensive understanding of the psychosocial risks they face, ultimately contributing to their wellbeing and the sustainability of the industry.

Objectives: This paper describes the design and evaluation of a workshop created to develop safer disaster response strategies for fishing communities, using the 2019 Northeast Brazil Oil Spill as a starting point for community-engaged education.

Methods: The 3-day pilot workshop included presentations, structured discussions, and interactive activities with small-scale fishers (SSFs), university researchers, and representatives of local government agencies. The workshop was evaluated through a mixed-method approach that considered qualitative data from discussion groups, collectively built products, and content retention. Evaluation methods were designed to contribute to participant learning while collecting information to improve the workshop's design.

Results: The workshop succeeded in identifying harm reduction strategies for SSFs in the face of chemical spills, as well as in connecting them with government agencies that can provide support. Feedback from facilitators and participants was largely positive, emphasizing the accessibility of the event, participant enthusiasm, and the importance of the content for SSFs' safety. In evaluating content retention, nearly all content was understood and could be explained effectively by the SSF participants. Products of the workshop that the community can refer to in the future include community-produced videos about safety in encounters with petrochemicals and two flowcharts that outline disaster response strategies.

Conclusion: Community education and participatory frameworks support rich learning experiences around community health, with benefits for researchers and SSF participants. This workshop built on experiences from the 2019 oil spill to develop safer chemical spill response strategies that consider resource availability in the target community. Future events could build from this base to prepare for other kinds of disasters, like floods and storms. This event aims to reduce harm to SSFs, but government and professional first responder support remains essential to ensure safe disaster response due to a lack of safe, accessible protocols for such events.

The IFISH6 conference brought together researchers and practitioners from around the world to discuss innovations and progress in protecting the safety and health of workers in the fishing, aquaculture, and seafood processing industries. This brief provides an overview of the feedback that was received about this conference, ideas for enhancing the impact of IFISH7, and methods of continuing collaboration and innovation in between.