Predictors of personal flotation device (PFD) use among workers in the Alaska commercial fishing industry

Introduction The purpose of this study was to identify the predictors of personal flotation device (PFD) use among workers in the Alaska commercial fishing industry. Methods This study analyzed data from a questionnaire administered to fishing industry workers on four types of commercial fishing vessels in Alaska. Workers' risk perceptions of falling overboard, attitudes regarding PFDs, and other factors were compared using Chi-square tests. A forward stepwise procedure was used to fit multivariate logistic regression models predicting PFD use. Results PFD usage ranged from 0% reporting always using a PFD among longliners to 51% among trawlers. Among the statistically significant predictors of PFD use identified in multivariate models, the belief that PFDs were an entanglement hazard was inversely associated with any use of PFDs among longliners (OR 0.38; 95% CI: 0.20, 0.73) and gillnetters (OR 038; 95% CI: 0.19, 0.76). The belief that PFDs interfered with work was inversely associated with high use of PFDs among crabbers (OR 0.16; 95% CI: 0.06, 0.45) and with always using PFDs among trawlers (OR 0.35; 95% CI: 0.16, 0.78). Other significant predictors were specific to each vessel type. Conclusions Interventions to increase PFD use in the fishing industry should be tailored to each vessel type and focus on addressing the significant barriers to PFD use. Workers may increase PFD usage if they are familiarized with newer PFDs that have been tested and accepted by their peers. Published by Elsevier Ltd.