Perceptions, work environment, and job stress related with tobacco use among fishermen in remote Island, Rebun Japan

• Main Author: Eri Kanazawa
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: European Publishing 2018-03-01
• Series: Tobacco Induced Diseases
• Subjects: WCTOH
• Online Access: http://www.journalssystem.com/tid/Perceptions-work-environment-and-job-stress-related-with-tobacco-use-among-fishermen,83835,0,2.html

Background In Japan, lung cancer is the highest leading cause of death. From the data of Japan Tobacco Incorporated (JT) in 2016, the smoking rate was 19.3% and 29.7% in male, and 9.7% in female. Hokkaido showed the highest smoking rate both in male(35.3%) and female(18.1%). Rebun Island located at north of Hokkaido prefecture in Japan and main income is fishing industry. Although studies about smoking among fishermen are rare, many studies showed the high prevalence of smoking among fishermen. This study was conducted to identify the situation of current smoker among fishermen and the factors related to smoking behavior. Methods A cross sectional study was conducted, and all of the questionnaire contents were developed based on the literature and theory reviews. In the questionnaire, general characteristics, perceptions based on Health Belief Model (perceived susceptibility, perceived severity, perceived benefits, perceived barriers, and cues to smoking), working environment, and job stress were included to collect data at fishermen's home. One hundred and six fishermen were selected by accidental sampling technique, and interview was performed one by one. Data were analyzed by descriptive statistics and analytical statistics for association analysis by Chi-square and Independent t-test at 95% confidence. Results The result showed 45.3% were current smokers (43.4% daily smoker, and 1.9% occasional smoker), and 54.7% (33.0% ex-smoker and 21.7% never smoker) were non-smokers. Age(r=0.070), marital status(r=0.002), present of smoker in family(r=0.030), having chronic diseases(r=0.001), job experience(r=0.002), perceptions (perceived susceptibility(r=0.033), perceived benefits(r=0.049), and perceived barriers(r< 0.001)) showed strong association with smoking behavior among fishermen in Rebun Island. Conclusions Health promotion program for fishermen is necessary in order to educate them for raising perception toward smoking and for understanding the importance of smoking cessation among fishermen in Rebun Island.