An estimated 340 million episodes of curable sexually transmitted infections (STIs) (chlamydial infections, gonorrhoea, syphilis, trichomoniasis) occur throughout the world every year.
The risk of STIs is increased for seafarers because of:
- Working and living away from spouses and partners.
- Working in isolation with limited social interaction and limited health facilities.
- Single-sex working and living arrangements dominated by men.
- Lack of information about risk and preventative measures.
- Travel enhances the probability of having sex with casual partners.
This guidance is offered to our Members as part of the Club’s partnership with ISWAN to support their Seafarers Health Information Project (SHIP), an initiative that promotes and distributes health information materials to shipping companies, seafarers’ centres, and direct to seafarers.
The project consists of 10 core topics: food safety, on-board fitness, safe travel, healthy food, malaria, weight control, STI – HIV & Aids, mental care, dental care and skin care. Explore the other topics.