STUDY OF WORKING CONDITIONS IN PATIENTS WITH OCCUPATIONAL POLYNEUROPATHY OF UPPER EXTREMITIES

Autonomous sensory polyneuropathy of upper extremities is one of the most common occupational diseases of peripheral nervous system. Findings of the study of working conditions in two major worker jobs in which occupational polyneuropathies of upper extremities are prevalent, namely: house-painters and plasterers, as well as mining job workers (underground miners, shaft miners, breakage face miners) are reported. Hygienic investigations envisaged detailed studies of working conditions in workers with diagnosed occupational peripheral nervous system disease. The intensity and hardness of working process, illumination level, spectral noise characteristics, noise, vibration, temperature, humidity, and air velocity levels, as well as adverse chemical concentrations in workplace air were assessed. House-painters as well as miners were found to work with pronounced physical overloads, working conditions being classified as 3.2-3.3 (2-3 degree harmful) according to indices of working process hardness. In spite of new technologies being introduced into the working process, manual labor part in these jobs still remains to be the great. Comparison of findings revealed certain differences in some characteristics of working process hardness. Working process hardness shown by dynamic and static physical load on upper extremities was found to be the most significant harmful occupational factor resulting in polyneuropathy in house-painters and plasterers. Development of polyneuropathy in miners was caused by a combination of adverse occupational factors: working process hardness, local vibration, cold microclimate. Our findings indicated the importance of the study of health state in painters and miners. Working conditions must be taken into account in the process of development of preventive and remedial measures for occupational polyneuropathy treatment.

STUDY OF THE HEALTH STATE IN PATIENTS WITH OCCUPATIONAL POLYNEUROPATHY OF UPPER EXTREMITIES

Introduction. Autonomous sensory polyneuropathy of upper extremities is one of the most common occupational diseases of the peripheral nervous system. Materia and methods. Findings of the health state study in two major worker jobs in which occupational polyneuropathies of upper extremities are prevalent, namely: house-painters and plasterers, as well as mining job workers (underground miners, shaft miners, breakage face miners), are reported. The main harmful factor in both professional groups is the heaviness of the working process. Results. Physical overloads are a reason of the occupational pathology’s complex of “working hand”. At the same time, no systemic autoimmune or endocrine diseases with similar polyneuropathy were detected. Other harmful factors in the working process such as occupational dust, intensive noise can cause another occupational pathology (in respiratory or hearing organs). Discussion. In spite of obviously different working conditions, we detected the same professional diseases in both professional groups - “the working hand pathological complex”. Our findings indicated the importance of the regular periodic check-ups. Doctors should search actively the early signs of coexisting with the occupational polyneuropathy illnesses. The results of health state’s research should be taken into account in the patient’s treatment planning.

ASSESSMENT OF RESPIRATORY SYMPTOMS AND ASSOCIATED FACTORS AMONG HOUSE PAINTERS IN KINONDONI MUNICIPALITY TANZANIA

Background: House painters are increased as people prefer to live in good and decorated houses. Mishandling of paints and inhalation of paint materials become a problem as this paints contain chemicals which are poisonous upon inhalation. However, few studies have assessed respiratory symptoms among house painters in the Africa. The main objective of this study was to assess respiratory symptoms and associated factors among house painters. Methods: We used a questionnaire to interview 172 house painters and 148 non exposed group in different construction sites. A sub sample of 25 house painters was evaluated for lung function using EasyOne spirometer Results: The study revealed significant results when respiratory symptoms were compared among painters and non-exposed group (p<0.05). Low level of knowledge among workers and poor use of PPE were the main factors associated with exposed to paints. Protection of those workers would be only successfully if enforcement policy is enacted about every site to provide personal protective equipment (PPE) to workers. Conclusion: House painters are exposed to different painting materials and therefore appropriate measures are recommended.