The Use of Illegal Drugs and Infectious Contagious Diseases: Knowledge and Intervention among Dockworkers

Marta Regina Cezar-Vaz, Clarice Alves Bonow, Mara Regina Santos da Silva, Francisca Lucélia Ribeiro de Farias and Marlise Capa Verde de Almeida
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Marta Regina Cezar-Vaz: School of Nursing, Federal University of Rio Grande, Rio Grande, RS 96203, Brazil
Clarice Alves Bonow: Faculty of Nursing, Federal University of Pelotas, Pelotas, RS 96010, Brazil
Mara Regina Santos da Silva: School of Nursing, Federal University of Rio Grande, Rio Grande, RS 96203, Brazil
Francisca Lucélia Ribeiro de Farias: Graduate Program on Nursing, Fortaleza University, Fortaleza, CE 60811, Brazil
Marlise Capa Verde de Almeida: School of Nursing, Federal University of Rio Grande, Rio Grande, RS 96203, Brazil

IJERPH, 2016, vol. 13, issue 1, 1-9

Abstract: This study’s objective was to analyze the use of illegal drugs by dockworkers and provide risk communication regarding the use of illegal drugs and test for infectious contagious diseases among dockworkers. This cross-sectional study including an intervention addressed to 232 dockworkers, who were individually interviewed, as well as communication of risk with testing for infectious contagious diseases for 93 dockworkers from a city in the interior of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. Poisson regression analysis was used. Twenty-nine workers reported the use of illegal drugs. Poisson regression indicated that being a wharfage worker, smoker, having a high income, and heavier workload increases the prevalence of the use of illegal drugs. During risk communication, two workers were diagnosed with hepatitis B (2.2%), three (3.2%) with hepatitis C, two (2.2%) with syphilis. None of the workers, though, had HIV. This study provides evidence that can motivate further research on the topic and also lead to treatment of individuals to improve work safety, productivity, and the health of workers.

Keywords: occupational health; dockworkers; public health; drugs use (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2016
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (3)

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