Respiratory symptoms and functions in barn workers
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Date
2014
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Inst Agricultural Medicine
Access Rights
info:eu-repo/semantics/openAccess
Abstract
Introduction and aim. The presented study was undertaken to investigate the respiratory health problems in family barns with one or more cows and at least one family member working in the barn. Methods. 150 workers (128 female, 22 male) from 4 villages of Yigilca district near the city of Duzce in north-west Turkey were enrolled in this study between October December 2011. An Occupational and Environmental Chest Diseases questionnaire developed by the American Thoracic Society, pulmonary function test, physical examination and investigation for nasal eosinophil were performed in all subjects. Results. The mean age of workers was 47.7 +/- 14.2 years. Cough was present in 24% of subjects. The rates of phlegm, wheezing, chest tightness and dyspnea were 13.3%, 6%, 6% and 27.3%, respectively. Obstructive ventilatory pattern was observed in 37 workers (24.6%). 43 workers (28.6%) showed restrictive ventilatory pattern. Nasal eosinophilia was detected in 47.3% (71/150) of the subjects. Pulmonary functions of workers with nasal eosinophilia did not differ from the other workers. There were statistically significant negative correlations between the duration of working in barns and respiratory functions. Conclusions. Pulmonary functions of barn workers have been found to be decreased related to the duration of barn working. Furthermore, respiratory symptoms increased in relation with both barn working and biomass consumption. Precautions should therefore be taken to ventilate both barns and houses.
Description
Balbay, Ege Gulec/0000-0002-1557-7019
WOS: 000333867800005
PubMed: 24742035
WOS: 000333867800005
PubMed: 24742035
Keywords
Barn Worker, respiratory symptoms, respiratory function tests
Journal or Series
Annals Of Agricultural And Environmental Medicine
WoS Q Value
Q3
Scopus Q Value
Q3
Volume
21
Issue
1
