Pesticides Use and Impaired Lung Function Among Male Agricultural Farmers in Rural Sindh, Pakistan

2021 ◽  
pp. 101053952110656
Author(s):  
Zahid Hyder Wadani ◽  
Iqbal Azam ◽  
Muhammad Irfan ◽  
Zafar Fatmi
Keyword(s):  
Lung Function ◽  
Multinomial Logistic Regression ◽  
Environmental Policies ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Protective Equipment ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Lung Dysfunction ◽  
Reliable Monitoring ◽  
Impaired Lung Function ◽  
Reporting Procedures

Use of pesticides implicated in decrement in lung function, manifested as restrictive or obstructive dysfunction or both. Using comparative cross-sectional study design, authors conducted the study to determine an association of pesticide use with impairment in lung function (restrictive/obstructive pattern of lung function) among agricultural farmers. The data were collected using modified American Thoracic Society Division of Lung Disease (ATS-DLD-78A) questionnaire and spirometer measurements. Using multinomial logistic regression, the risk of both restrictive and obstructive lung dysfunction was found to be almost twice among pesticides users with each increasing year of exposure to pesticides (1.92 and 1.95, respectively) after adjusting for other covariates. There is a need for reliable monitoring and reporting procedures along with appropriate environmental policies and regulations for handling of pesticides. Interventional studies are needed where farmers could be trained on the proper use of personal protective equipment (PPE) to limit the exposure to pesticides.

scholarly journals Predictors of impaired pulmonary function in people living with HIV in an urban African setting

2021 ◽  
Vol 22 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Sarah E. Van Riel ◽  
Kerstin Klipstein-Grobusch ◽  
Roos E. Barth ◽  
Diederick E. Grobbee ◽  
Charles Feldman ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Lung Function ◽  
Characteristic Curve ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Forced Expiratory Volume ◽  
Normal Lung ◽  
People Living With Hiv ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
Impaired Lung Function ◽  
History Of

Background: Studies have associated HIV with an increased risk of obstructive lung disease (OLD).Objectives: We aimed to identify the predictive factors for impaired lung function in an urban, African, HIV-positive population.Method: A cross-sectional study was performed in Johannesburg, South Africa, from July 2016 to November 2017. A questionnaire was administered and pre- and post-bronchodilator spirometry conducted. The predictors investigated included age, sex, antiretroviral treatment (ART) duration, body mass index, history of tuberculosis (TB) or pneumonia, occupational exposure, environmental exposure, smoking and symptoms of OLD (cough, wheeze, mucus and dyspnoea). Impaired lung function was defined as a forced expiratory volume in 1 second/forced vital capacity (FEV1/FVC) ratio of 0.70, or below the 20th percentile of normal.Results: The 98 ART-naïve participants (mean age = 34.0, standard deviation [s.d.] = 8.2), 85 participants on first-line ART (mean age = 36.9, s.d. = 6.6) and 189 participants on second-line ART (mean age = 43.5, s.d. = 7.9) were predominantly female (65.6%). Of the participants, 64 (17.2%) had impaired lung function and 308 had normal lung function. Linear regression identified age (β = –0.003, P 0.01), male sex (β = –0.016, P = 0.03) and history of TB or pneumonia (β = –0.024, P 0.01) as independent predictors of a lower FEV1/FVC ratio. Following logistic regression, only a history of TB or pneumonia (odds ratio = 2.58, 95% confidence interval = 1.47–4.52) was significantly related to impaired lung function (area under the receiver operating characteristic curve = 0.64).Conclusion: Our data show that a history of TB or pneumonia predicts impaired lung function. In order to improve timely access to spirometry, clinicians should be alert to the possibility of impaired lung function in people with a history of TB or pneumonia.

scholarly journals Comparison of pulmonary functions of thalassemic and of healthy children

2016 ◽  
Vol 45 (1) ◽  
pp. 1 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mardjanis Said ◽  
Sudigdo Sastroasmoro ◽  
Djajadiman Gatot ◽  
Bambang Supriyatno ◽  
Yovita Ananta
Keyword(s):  
Lung Function ◽  
Serum Ferritin ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Common Finding ◽  
Healthy Children ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Lung Dysfunction ◽  
Physical Examinations ◽  
And Control ◽  
Restrictive Lung Function

Objectives The aim of this study was to compare some pulmo-nary functions of thalassemic patients and those of normal chil-dren. Factors correlated with lung dysfunction were assessed.Methods This cross-sectional study compared some pulmonaryfunctions of thalassemic patients with those of healthy children.The study was performed in the Department of Child Health, CiptoMangunkusumo Hospital, Jakarta, Indonesia. Pre- and post-trans-fusion hemoglobin levels of the thalassemic subjects were deter-mined. Other data such as chelation therapy and serum ferritinlevels were also obtained. Both thalassemic and control subjectsunderwent routine physical examinations and lung function testsusing an electronic spirometer. Spirometry was repeated threetimes for each subject, and only the best result was recorded.Results Sixty-three thalassemic patients were enrolled, consist-ing of 32 male and 31 female subjects. Healthy subjects consistedof 31 males and 31 females. Most thalassemic patients (46/63)were found to have lung function abnormalities. This was signifi-cantly different from control subjects, of whom most (39/62) hadnormal lung function. Restrictive lung function abnormality was themost common (42/63) observation documented. Serum ferritin lev-els were obtained from 28 male and 29 female thalassemic sub-jects. There was no correlation between percentage from predictedforced vital capacity and serum ferritin levels, whether in male(r=0.191; P=0.967) or female (r =-0.076, P=0.695) thalassemicsubjects.Conclusion Thalassemic patients have significantly lower lungfunction than healthy children. More thalassemic patients had lungfunction abnormalities compared to healthy children. Restrictivedysfunction was the most common finding in the thalassemic group.No correlation was found between lung function and serum ferritinlevels

scholarly journals The Description of Lung Function Status Among Limestone Milling Industry Workers in Tuban Regency

2016 ◽  
Vol 8 (2) ◽  
pp. 238
Author(s):  
Muhammad Sudrajad ◽  
R. Azizah
Keyword(s):  
Lung Function ◽  
Dust Particle ◽  
Quality Measurement ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Working Environment ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Physical Quality ◽  
Impaired Lung Function ◽  
Respiratory Complaints

Abstract: One of air pollution parameters that are harmful to human health is the amount of dust. The main source of the dust pollutant is a limestone grinding activities. The purpose of this study was to look at the description of workers pulmonary function status, physical quality of the work environment, and respiratory complaints that experienced by workers in the limestone milling industry. This research design was descriptive cross sectional study. All of 12 workers in limestone milling industry were recruited in this study. Physical quality of the environment that have seen was the amount of dust particle, air temperature, humidity, and wind speed. Characteristics and respiratory complaints worker measured by questionnaires. Lung function disorder was measured using spirometry. The result of the physical quality measurement of the environment still met quality standards. Respiratory complaints most experienced by workers was phlegm, cough, cough with phlegm, and cold conditions. A total of 100% workers in production and 83.3% of workers in the packing have impaired lung function. It is concluded that, lung function disorders more experienced workers with the working environment had higher levels of dust and higher temperatures, lower humidity. Judging by the characteristics of workers, impaired lung function more experienced workers by aged 20-29 years and 30-39 years old, have years of service more than 5 years, smoking habits, have normal status nutrition, not wearing protective respiratory tract, and not have a history of lung disease. It is suggested that, the workers with impaired lung function should immediately conductfurther tests to get proper treatment. In addition, workers should always wear respirator while working and quiet from smoking behavior.Keywords: dust particle, lung function status, limestone milling industry workers

scholarly journals Infection control practices and challenges in Pakistan during the COVID-19 pandemic: a multicentre cross-sectional study

2021 ◽  
pp. 175717742110127
Author(s):  
Salma Abbas ◽  
Faisal Sultan
Keyword(s):  
Personal Protective Equipment ◽  
Prevention And Control ◽  
Infection Prevention ◽  
Hospital Staff ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Infection Prevention And Control ◽  
Protective Equipment ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Healthcare Facilities ◽  
And Control

Background: Patient and staff safety at healthcare facilities during outbreaks hinges on a prompt infection prevention and control response. Physicians leading these programmes have encountered numerous obstacles during the pandemic. Aim/objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate infection prevention and control practices and explore the challenges in Pakistan during the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic. Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional study and administered a survey to physicians leading infection prevention and control programmes at 18 hospitals in Pakistan. Results: All participants implemented universal masking, limited the intake of patients and designated separate triage areas, wards and intensive care units for coronavirus disease 2019 patients at their hospitals. Eleven (61%) physicians reported personal protective equipment shortages. Staff at three (17%) hospitals worked without the appropriate personal protective equipment due to limited supplies. All participants felt overworked and 17 (94%) reported stress. Physicians identified the lack of negative pressure rooms, fear and anxiety among hospital staff, rapidly evolving guidelines, personal protective equipment shortages and opposition from hospital staff regarding the choice of recommended personal protective equipment as major challenges during the pandemic. Discussion: The results of this study highlight the challenges faced by physicians leading infection prevention and control programmes in Pakistan. It is essential to support infection prevention and control personnel and bridge the identified gaps to ensure patient and staff safety at healthcare facilities.

scholarly journals The potential role of local pharmacies to assess asthma control: an Italian cross-sectional study

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
M. Caminati ◽  
L. Cegolon ◽  
M. Bacchini ◽  
N. Segala ◽  
A. Dama ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Asthma Control ◽  
Multinomial Logistic Regression ◽  
Asthma Severity ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Disease Assessment ◽  
Community Pharmacies ◽  
Sectional Study ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Care Services ◽  
Disease Community

Abstract Background Asthma control and monitoring still represents a challenge worldwide. Although the international guidelines suggest the interplay between secondary and primary care services as an effective strategy to control the disease, community pharmacies’ are seldom involved in asthma control assessment. The present cross-sectional study aimed at providing a picture of the relationship between asthma severity and control in community pharmacies within the health district of the city of Verona (Veneto Region, North-Eastern Italy). Methods A call for participation was launched through the Pharmacists’ Association of Verona. Patients referring to the participating pharmacies with an anti-asthmatic drug medical prescription and an asthma exemption code were asked to complete the Asthma Control Test (ACT) and a brief questionnaire collecting information on their age, sex, smoking status, aerobic physical exercise and usual asthma therapy, which also defined asthma severity. A multinomial logistic regression model was fitted to investigate the risk of uncontrolled as well as poorly controlled vs. controlled asthma (base). Results were expressed as relative risk ratios (RRR) with 95% confidence interval (95%CI). Results Fifty-seven community pharmacies accepted to participate and 584 asthmatic patients (54% females; mean-age: 51 ± 19 years) were consecutively recruited from 1st January to 30th June 2018 (6 months). Based upon ACT score 50.5% patients had a controlled asthma, 22.3% a poorly controlled and 27.2% uncontrolled. A variable proportion of patients with uncontrolled asthma were observed for every level of severity, although more frequently with mild persistent form of asthma. Most patients (92%) self-reported regular compliance with therapy. At multinomial regression analysis, patients under regular asthma treatment course (RRR = 0.33; 95%CI: 0.15; 0.77) were less likely to have an ACT< 16 compared to those not taking medications regularly. Conclusions Overall, our findings highlighted an unsatisfactory asthma control in the general population, independently of the severity level of the disease. Community pharmacies could be a useful frontline interface between patients and the health care services, supporting an effective asthma management plan, from disease assessment and monitoring treatment compliance to referral of patients to specialist medical consultancies.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document