Occupational Health Risks and Hygiene Practices among Fish Retailers in Noakhali, Bangladesh: A Market-based Study

Abstract

Aims: The hygienic condition of fish markets and retailer health safety plays a crucial role in maintaining fish quality and consumer health perspective as well. This study was designed to address the health condition of fish retailer and their awareness regarding this. The study was conducted in two important fish markets situated in Noakhali, Bangladesh. Methodology: Information was collected through questionnaire interviews and participatory rural appraisal (PRA) from the randomly selected retailers (n=30) Results: The retailers are mainly involved in selling various species of freshwater and marine water fishes, like as carps, catfishes, anabas, tilapia, koi, hilsa, shrimp, and other small indigenous fishes. Here, fish were mainly sourced from ponds (60%), but rivers and the sea (40%) are also the sources of fish. About 27% of the retailers had no basic education, 60%, 13% had primary level and secondary level of education. Though many of them were literate, their knowledge and practice of public health, hygiene, and sanitation were found to be very poor. Lack of proper preservation, ice and transportation facilities, a noticeable number of fish are losing their quality. Besides, about 20% of the fishermen did not use ice, which may cause deterioration of the quality of fish and health problems for the fishermen. They were found to be infected by various diseases such as common cold (cough, coryza, etc.), Diarrhea, lesions on different portions of the hand and legs, skin disease, and knee pain. tip fingers, between toes, on the nail and tip of toes, and skin disease on legs, respectively. Conclusion: Therefore, the proper education and training on hygienic and sanitary conditions as well as sufficient knowledge on maintaining fish quality, are required for retailers involved in fish retailing in the markets.