Journal Article

Factors affecting self-reported occupational health-related problems: a case study on improved traditional shrimp farmers in Bangladesh

Islam, Md. Ridwanul, Shohag, Md. Khaladur Rahman, Rouf, Muhammad Abdur, Alam, Edris, Debnath, Sudip, Hasan, Md Shamim, Rahman, Md. Moshiur, Islam, Md Kamrul, Rahman, Md Mostafizur

2025

Overview

This study explores the factors affecting self-reported occupational health problems among improved traditional shrimp farmers in Southwestern Bangladesh. Data was collected from 270 farmers in the districts of Khulna, Satkhira, and Bagerhat using a structured questionnaire. According to stepwise and hierarchical logistic regression analyses, health problem reporting was associated with district of residence, education level, training, self-rated health, and occupational health awareness. Health problems were more frequently reported among farmers in Satkhira (aOR = 4.41, 95% CI: 2.06–9.75, p  < 0.001) and Khulna (aOR = 3.02, 95% CI: 1.47–6.39, p  < 0.01) than in Bagerhat. Poor self-rated health (aOR = 25.46, p  < 0.001) and those with less than secondary education (aOR = 16.72, p  < 0.01) were associated with reported issues. Knowledge of occupational safety measures significantly increased the probability of reporting health problems (aOR = 87.13, p  < 0.001); trained farmers reported higher health difficulties most likely due to increased awareness (aOR = 0.13 for untrained farmers, p  < 0.001). Environmental hazards and incorrect chemical handling continue even with hygienic procedures and personal protection equipment (PPE) laws usually embraced (99.26% of individuals used masks and gloves, for example). These results underscore the need for education-sensitive, locally directed health-safety efforts and imply that more accurate health reporting could follow from better awareness.

• Publisher: BioMed Central,BioMed Central Ltd,Springer Nature B.V,BMC
• Subject: Adult / Agricultural Workers' Diseases - epidemiology / Agriculture / Animals / Aquaculture / Bangladesh / Bangladesh - epidemiology / Biostatistics / Disease control / Education / Environmental aspects / Environmental hazards / Environmental Health / Epidemiology / Farmers / Farmers - statistics & numerical data / Female / Gloves / Health aspects / Health hazards / Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice / Health problems / Health-safety training / Humans / Hygiene / Male / Management / Medicine / Medicine & Public Health / Methods / Middle Aged / Occupational hazards / Occupational Health / Occupational health and safety / Occupational safety / Perceptions / Personal protective equipment / Public Health / Questionnaires / Regression analysis / Safety measures / Safety training / Self Report / Self-reported health problems / Shellfish farming / Shrimp culture / Shrimp farmers / Shrimps / Social aspects / Statistical analysis / Surveys and Questionnaires / Vaccine / Young Adult