Prevalence of respiratory symptoms among latex glove workers at Senawang, Negeri Sembilan using lung function test

Ahmad Erawan, Khairul Anuar (2018) Prevalence of respiratory symptoms among latex glove workers at Senawang, Negeri Sembilan using lung function test. [Project Paper] (Submitted)

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Abstract

Background: Latex glove process are one of the sources of organic dust in the working environment. Without any protection, the latex glove workers were exposed to them on their routine work. However, less study has been conducted to determine the level of dust exposure to the latex glove workers. Therefore, the objective of this study is to determine the prevalence of respiratory symptoms among latex glove workers using lung function test. Methods: This was a cross-sectional study that conducted at latex glove manufacturing industry at Senawang, Negeri Sembilan. The respondents were taken by using stratified random sampling. The workers (n=90) were interviewed using adopted questionnaire and examined lung function by using an electronic spirometer while the dust (PM2.5) was measured by using DustTrak DRX Aerosol Monitor 8534. Results: Majority of the workers were Indian (61.1%), Malay (24.4%), Chinese (3.3%) and Others (11.1 %). For the educational level, Secondary educational level is the highest (56.7%), followed by Primary educational level (24.4%), Diploma/Degree (10.0%) and None (8.9%). The highest salary level was RM 1000- 1900 (65.6%), _followed by RM 2000 - 2900 (32.2%), and RM 2900 - 3900 (2.2%). The status level for the workers are Single (38.9%), Married (58.9%), and Divorced (2.2%). Descriptive analysis was used for the distribution of lung function abnormalities; Stripping station (46.7%), Quality Control (20%), and Technical and Maintenance (5.5%). While distribution of respiratory symptoms; Stripping station (Coughing - 43.3%, Phlegm - 37.7%, Wheezing - 32.2%, Shortness of breath - 32.3%), Quality Control (Coughing - 18.8%, Phlegm - 17.7%, Wheezing - 16.6%, Shortness of breath - 12.2%), and Technical and Maintenance (Coughing - 5.5%, Phlegm - 6.7%, Wheezing - 6.7%, Shortness of breath - 4.4%). Workers with high exposure to dust was majorly from stripping station (0.437 mg/m3). A Pearson Correlation test was used to determine relationship between exposure to dust and lung function abnormalities, for FEV1 (r=0.074, p=0.490), FVC (r=0.454, p=0.454), FEV1 /FVC (r=0.226, p=0.038). There is significant relationship between exposure to dust and respiratory symptoms that analysed by using Chi square test, frequent coughing (x2= 1. 796, p=0.001 ), coughing in the morning (x2 =2.872, p=0.001 ), phlegm in the morning (x2=3.45 l, p=0.032) and both cough and phlegm (x2=4.476, p=0.021 ). One-way Anova was used to determine the difference of lung function between work station are statistically differences was FEV1/FVC (F=0.923, p=0.016), FEV1 (F=0.333, p=0.718) and FVC (F=0.245, p=0.783). While difference between exposure to dust and different groups of workstations was statistically significant at Stripping station (F=0.767, p=0.035). Conclusion: Majority of the workers in stripping has abnormalities in lung function status, respiratory symptoms and exposed to high exposure of dust compare to the other station. Workers also had a significant relationship between exposure to dust and respiratory symptoms. Thus, several preventions can be take such as improvement of ventilation system to a better system such as sucking fumes as it is an effective solution to reduce particulate emissions in the workplace. Besides, the management should give a proper and suitable mask to the workers such as N95 that provides 95 percent filtration efficiency of particles of the dust. Keywords: Spirometer, Lung Function, Pulmonary Function Test, Latex Glove Manufacturing, Respiratory Disease

Item Type:	Project Paper
Faculty:	Faculty of Medicine and Health Science
Depositing User:	Ms Norafizah Radzuan
Date Deposited:	26 May 2025 08:29
Last Modified:	26 May 2025 08:29
URI:	http://psaspb.upm.edu.my/id/eprint/2409

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