Gender Perceptions of Seafood Consumption Risk After Gulf Oil Spill

Background: Perceptions of risk have an important influence on health behaviors. From April 20 – July 15, 2010 the Deepwater Horizon (DWH) oil spill released an estimated 200 million gallons of crude oil into the Gulf of Mexico resulting in daily reports of seafood contamination. This widespread environmental impact may have influenced risk perception and affected gulf seafood consumption. Purpose: This study assessed selected factors that influenced risk perception and consumption patterns of gulf seafood after the DWH incident. Methods: After institutional approval, over 1500 staff and students at a southern university were randomly selected to receive an email request to complete an online survey of individual seafood consumption surrounding the DWH oil spill. This survey was developed to determine if the DWH oil spill influenced gulf seafood consumption. Seafood consumption patterns, fiduciary impacts, living distance from the gulf, and concern about Gulf seafood safety were compared using Chi-square analysis. NOAA professionals determined survey questionnaire content and face validity. Results: Survey completion rate was 20% (n=239). Most concern for seafood safety occurred during the time of the DWH oil spill. Females were more likely to indicate concern for seafood safety. Sixty nine percent of the staff were concerned about the oil spill compared to only 52% of students. Living distance from the gulf did not influence seafood safety concerns. Heavy fish consumers were no more likely to be concerned than light consumers. Those who were most concerned about seafood contamination were more likely to decrease their seafood consumption. Conclusion: Perceived concern about seafood safety influenced seafood consumption following the DWH oil spill.