Assessment of Health Conditions of the Fish Handlers in the Two Fishing Communities of the Gambia

<i>Introduction: </i>Because of their jobs and work conditions, fish handlers are susceptible to several health problems. This study aimed to assess various health challenges faced by fish handlers in the Gambia. <i>Methodology:</i> This was a cross-sectional study in which 231 fish handlers were selected randomly from Tanji and Banjul fishing communities in the Gambia. Data on the various health problems common among them were gathered through focus group discussions and interviewer-administered questionnaires, and COHgb monitoring was done with a Rad 57 CO-oximeter. They were analyzed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS 20.0). Descriptive statistics were used to summarize the data, and an analytical statistical test was used to test for association using the chi-square at a 95% significance level. <i>Results:</i> The commonest health symptoms reported by the respondents in Tanji and Banjul were headache (85.7% and 81.8%); dizziness (74.7% and 61.0%); abdominal pain (51.3% and 80.5%); common cold (59.1% and 80.5%); tightness or discomfort in the chest (58.4% and 57.1%), eye irritation (49.4% and 57.1%. The commonest perceived factors reported in Tanji and Banjul were lack of sleep (72.7% and 59.7%); heavy smoke from boat engines (72.1% and 70.1%); poor diet (57.8% and 58.4%); Capsizing (68.85 and 51.9%); fish scaling process (72.1% and 70.1%) and Ergonomic (57.8% and 58.4%). Chi-square analysis revealed that the COHgb values of smoking and non-smoking fish smokers, fish traders, and fish dryers were not significantly different between Tanji and Banjul. However, the comparison of COHgb values of non-smoking fishermen in Tanji and Banjul was significant. <i>Conclusion:</i> findings from the study revealed several health issues facing fish handlers that need to be tackled. Therefore, the use of safety measures and periodic medical examinations should be encouraged among fish handlers.