Knowledge mapping of seafarers’ health research: a bibliometric analysis

Since 1997, researchers have increasingly studied different aspects of seafarers’ health. However, no comprehensive review of the literature has been conducted. This study maps seafarers’ health research published from 1997 to 2020. A total of 120 publications were collected for bibliometric analysis. We find that three relatively large research teams have formed, which have mainly conducted cohort studies, questionnaire surveys, and maritime field studies. The primary research hotspots are comparison of differences in occupational health; disease causes and prevention; health risk factors and their interventions; and work health and safety. Changes in research hotspots can be summarised as a shift from seafarers’ physical health to physical and mental health, and, subsequently, a shift from health to work health and safety. Future research is likely to focus on the influence mechanism of seafarers’ stress on their health; the influence mechanism of the shift-work crisis on seafarers’ health and its interventions; whether seafarers’ health affects their retention; an overall framework for seafarers’ work safety and health; and the impact of natural gas emissions on seafarers’ health as well as related interventions. The results can be used to increase the understanding of seafarers’ health research and support further work in this field.