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

• Published in: International journal of environmental research and public health Vol. 13; no. 1; p. 1
• Main Authors: Cezar-Vaz, Marta Regina, Bonow, Clarice Alves, da Silva, Mara Regina Santos, de Farias, Francisca Lucélia Ribeiro, de Almeida, Marlise Capa Verde
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Switzerland MDPI AG 12-01-2016; MDPI
• Subjects: Adult; Brazil - epidemiology; Communicable Diseases - complications; Communicable Diseases - diagnosis; Communicable Diseases - epidemiology; Cross-Sectional Studies; Drug use; Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; Health Promotion; Humans; Infectious diseases; Male; Middle Aged; Occupational Diseases - complications; Occupational Diseases - epidemiology; Occupational Diseases - prevention & control; Occupational Health; Prevalence; Public health; Street Drugs; Substance-Related Disorders - complications; Substance-Related Disorders - epidemiology; Substance-Related Disorders - prevention & control; Treponema pallidum; Brazil; ASW, Brazil, Rio Grande do Sul; dockworkers; drugs use; occupational health; public health
• ISSN: 1660-4601; 1661-7827; 1660-4601
• DOI: 10.3390/ijerph13010125

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.