Prevalence of consumption of psychoactive substances amongst dockers

Background: Dockers in the port facilities are exposed to significant psychosocial risks (stress, suffering atwork, etc.) related to heavy organisational, environmental, physical, chemical constraints, etc. These workersare particularly affected by the consumption of psychoactive substances because of the dangerousnessand complexity of their work. To what extent can these numerous occupational risks be at the origin ofbehaviour favouring the consumption of psychoactive substances? However, in our country no study hasinvestigated toxic habits in this population. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of theuse and misuse of psychoactive substances amongst dockers, and to appreciate the poly-consumptionaccording to socio-demographic and occupational characteristics. Materials and methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted amongst 665 dockers. The interview tookplace at the occupational health service and lasted between 15 and 20 minutes for each person respectingthe confidentiality. The questionnaire covered socio-demographic characteristics, socio-professionalcharacteristics, and toxic habits (tobacco, alcohol, cannabis and others psychotropic substances). Themisuse was assessed by specific tests: Fagerström test for tobacco smoking, Cannabis Abuse ScreeningTest (CAST) and Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT). Results: The prevalence of use was 30.5% for tobacco smoking, 9.1% for cannabis smoking, and 16.5%for alcohol consumption. The prevalence of toxic habits was significantly higher in handlers than in machineryoperators: tobacco smoking (39.7% vs. 27%; p = 0.002), snuff tobacco (12.5% vs. 4.6%; p = 0.001),hookah (7.6% vs. 2%; p = 0.001), cannabis smoking (20.6% vs. 4.5%; p = 0.001) and alcohol consumption(22.3% vs. 14.3%; p = 0.019). Amongst consumers, the prevalence of dependence or misuse was 45.3%for tobacco smoking, 56.7% for cannabis smoking and 44.5% for alcohol consumption. Fifty-two point fiveper cent had no toxic habit, 36.7% had one toxic habit, 9.9% two toxic habits, and 0.9% three toxic habits.The most frequent associations were tobacco-alcohol (6.5%), and tobacco-cannabis (3%). Conclusions: Occupational health professionals have to play a key role in raising awareness and fightingagainst consumption of psychoactive substances amongst dockers