This Article Full Text (PDF) References Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Services Email this article to a friend Similar articles in this journal Alert me to new issues of the journal Add to Saved Citations Download to citation manager Request Permissions Request Reprints Add to My Marked Citations Citing Articles Citing Articles via Google Scholar Citing Articles via Scopus Google Scholar Articles by Bener, A. Articles by Abuzeid, M. S. O. Search for Related Content Social Bookmarking                         What's this?

Respiratory symptoms and lung function in garage workers and taxi drivers

Departments of Community Medicine and Medical Education Faculty of Medicine & Health Sciences United Arab Emirates University PO Box 17666 Al-Ain United Arab Emirates

Ibrahim Galadari, MD

Departments of Community Medicine and Medical Education Faculty of Medicine & Health Sciences United Arab Emirates University PO Box 17666 Al-Ain United Arab Emirates

Jamal K. Al-Mutawa, MBBS, MSc

Departments of Community Medicine and Medical Education Faculty of Medicine & Health Sciences United Arab Emirates University PO Box 17666 Al-Ain United Arab Emirates

Fatma Al-Maskari, MBS

Departments of Community Medicine and Medical Education Faculty of Medicine & Health Sciences United Arab Emirates University PO Box 17666 Al-Ain United Arab Emirates

Mandira Das, MD

Departments of Community Medicine and Medical Education Faculty of Medicine & Health Sciences United Arab Emirates University PO Box 17666 Al-Ain United Arab Emirates

Mohammed S. O. Abuzeid, MBBS

Head of Oudul Thoba PHC Clinic Al-Ain Medical Health District Ministry of Health Al-Ain United Arab Emirates

The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of some respiratory symptoms and possible diseases among occupationally-exposed garage workers and taxi drivers. This study involved 158 garage workers and 165 taxi drivers, matched for age, sex, nationality and duration of employment. The mean age of 158 Indian subcontinent garage workers was 34.4±10.4 years; their mean height and weight were 167.7±6.6 cm and 72.0±12.3 kg respectively, and the mean duration of employment garage workers was 8.8± 7.6 years. The mean age of 165 Indian subcontinent male taxi drivers was 34.5±7.7 years; their mean height and weight were 168.7±6.1 cm and 71.3±12.6 kg respectively; and the mean duration of employment was 7.5±5.4 years. The data on chronic respiratory symp toms showed that garage workers had higher prevalence of symptoms than taxi drivers, being significantly greater for chronic phlegm, (p<0.007); dyspneoa (p<0.001]; and sinusi tis ( p<0.03). A higher prevalence of all acute symptoms was recorded in garage workers than in taxi drivers, although the differences were significant only for throat (p<0.02), hear ing problems (p<0.002); nose (dryness, bleeding and secretion) (p<0.008); and low back pain (p<0.05). Almost all forced spirometric tests in the exposed garage workers were lower than in taxi drivers. The results of stepwise multiple regression analysis showed that only phlegm, sinusitis, hearing problems, nasal catarrh, throat, low back pain, smoking and FEF25-75, variables were statistically significant predictors as risk factors. In conclusion, the present study suggests that a high prevalence of respiratory symptoms is associated with exposure to motor vehicle exhaust emission in garage working places. Long-term working as garage workers in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), may be associated with the develop ment of chronic respiratory symptoms and have effects on their daily life and health.

Key Words: Chronic and acute symptoms • lung function test • garage workers • taxi drivers • United Arab Emirates (UAE)

The Journal of the Royal Society for the Promotion of Health, Vol. 118, No. 6, 346-353 (1998)
DOI: 10.1177/146642409811800613


CiteULike    Complore    Connotea    Del.icio.us    Digg    Reddit    Technorati    Twitter    What's this?