Sidek, Mohd Yusof
(2006)
Respiratory symptoms and pulmonary function in male wooden furniture workers exposed to wood dust in Kota Bharu, Kelantan.
Masters thesis, Universiti Sains Malaysia.
Abstract
INTRODUCTION: Wood industries such as wooden furniture factory are one of the
major socio-economic development of rural Kelantan. There are significant
proportions of workers involved m wooden furniture factories. Majority of
factories are lack of supervision by DOSH and have low compliance of the OSHA
1994 and its regulations. COPD and smoking are the leading causes of morbidity and
mortality in industrialized and developing countries. Prolonged occupational exposure
to wood dust at workplace can increase susceptibility of developing COPD in future.
OBJECTIVES: This research ts aimed to study respiratory symptoms, level of
knowledge, attitude and practice in relation to wood dust exposure and factors associated
with respiratory function in male wooden furniture workers in Kota Bharu, Kelantan.
METHODS: A comparative cross-sectional study of 97 male wooden furniture
(exposed) workers and 97 male office workers (non-exposed) was conducted from
May till July 2005. Data was collected through a questionnaire on respiratory
symptoms, knowledge,attitude and practice of health hazards of wood dust exposure m workplace and
spirometry test. Chi-square test was used to determine the significant difference in the
prevalence of respiratory symptoms and independent t test was used to compare means
ofKAP score and result of respiratory function parameter between exposed and nonexposed
group. Multiple linear regression was used to determine factors associated with
FEY 1 in exposed group.
RESULTS: The prevalence of respiratory symptoms were significantly higher among
exposed compared to non-exposed group. The most frequent symptoms among exposed
group were skin itchiness (47.4%), followed by chest tightness (39.2%), morning cough
(35.1 %) and morning phlegm (35.1 %). The mean total knowledge score in exposed group
was significantly lower [95 .7(10.8)] compared to non-exposed group [99.8( 10.3)].
Exposed group had significantly higher mean score for total practice score [24.8( 4.8)]
compared to non-exposed group [22.2(4.7)]. There were no significant differences for
mean total attitude and KAP scores between exposed and non-exposed group.
About 71% of exposed group had abnormal respiratory function whereas only 24% of
non-exposed group had abnormal respiratory function. Of the 69 (71.1%) exposed group
with abnormal spirometry test, 30 (30.9%) exhibited mild restriction, 24 (24.7%) with
moderate restriction and 15 (15SYo) with severe restriction. Duration of smoking
(p<O.OO I), height (p<O.OO 1 ), duration of work (p=0.002) and number of cigarettes smoke
perday (p=<O.OOl) were significantly related to FEV1 and FVC. Only age (p=0.049) was
significantly related to FEV1/FVC.
CONCLUSIONS: We therefore conclude that the level of knowledge, attitude and
practice in relation to the health hazards of wood dust exposure in the exposed group was
unsatisfactory compared to the non-exposed group and chronic occupational wood dusts
exposure can lead to higher prevalence of respiratory symptoms and abnormal
respiratory function among exposed group.
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