Occupational Risk Factors and Asthma among Health Care Professionals

Abstract

Rationale: Recent U.S. data suggest an increased risk of work-related asthma among health care workers, yet only a few specific determinants have been elucidated. Objectives: To evaluate associations of asthma prevalence with occupational exposures in a cross-sectional survey of health care professionals. Methods: A detailed questionnaire was mailed to a random sample (n ϭ 5,600) of all Texas physicians, nurses, respiratory therapists, and occupational therapists with active licenses in 2003. Information on asthma symptoms and nonoccupational asthma risk factors obtained from the questionnaire was linked to occupational exposures derived through an industry-specific job-exposure matrix. Measurements: There were two a priori defined outcomes: (1 ) physiciandiagnosed asthma with onset after entry into health care ("reported asthma") and (2 ) "bronchial hyperresponsiveness-related symptoms," defined through an 8-item symptom-based predictor. Conclusions:The contribution of occupational exposures to asthma in health care professionals is not trivial, meriting both implementation of appropriate controls and further study.

Health Problems and Health Seeking Behaviour of Hospital Cleaners in a Tertiary Health Facility in South West Nigeria

“…These were also found in some previous studies in America, Britain and Nigeria. (Rosenman et al, 2003, Medina-Ramon et al, 2003, Bello et al, 2009, Imperial College London, 2013, Zock, 2005, Delcos et al, 2006, Orji et al, 2002 The skin lesions may have resulted from insect bite to which these workers are exposed to especially when they are on night shifts while the asthmatic symptoms are due their exposure to dusty particles while doing their work. Other health problems found in this study which were not reported in previous studies include eye problems, burns and upper respiratory infections.…”

“…(Lucas and Gilles, 2004, Unge et al, 2007, Tinubu et al, 2010, Omokhodion et al, 2000, Bello et al, 2009) Furthermore, they may also be faced with occupational diseases like Hepatitis B infection, HIV/AIDS and other infections to which other health workers are prone while doing their job. (Imperial College London, 2013, Zock, 2005, Delcos et al, 2006 Skin disorders like dermatitis and psychosomatic disorders have also been reported among hospital cleaners. (Amosu et al, 2011, Medina-Ramon et al, 2005 In many of the tertiary health facilities in Nigeria cleaning works are contracted to cleaning companies which in turn employ the cleaners to work for them.…”

EAACI position paper: irritant‐induced asthma

“…A more detailed analysis in this population showed that reporting bias could not be discarded; individuals with any respiratory problems at baseline were more likely to report inhalation incidents 9 years later (41). Cross-sectional studies also found that asthmatics more often had a history of single high exposure to irritant cleaning products than healthy controls (42)(43)(44). A population-based study in Northern Europe documented an increased asthma risk in men with a history of accidental peak exposure to irritants (45).…”

An Ounce of Prevention Is Worth a Pound of Cure

“…Several authors have reported an increase in respiratory morbidity in respiratory therapists (RTs) after they enter the profession. [1][2][3][4] RTs are exposed to infectious and other aerosols while performing their daily tasks. A few years ago the severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) epidemic, and more recently the influenza H1N1 epidemic, brought renewed attention to the risk incurred by healthcare providers participating in droplet/aerosol generating procedures.…”

“…3 More recently, Delclos et al gained more insight into possible causes for this increased pulmonary morbidity. 4 They surveyed a group of physicians, nurses, occupational therapists, and RTs and found that the diagnosis of asthma after entering the profession was associated with some activities such as cleaning medical instruments (OR 2.22, 95% CI 1.34 -3.67) and administration of aerosolized medications (OR 1.72, 95% CI 1.05-2.83). Their questionnaire also inquired about bronchial hyper-responsiveness related symptoms (trouble breathing, wheezing, and/or attacks of shortness of breath, nocturnal cough, and/or chest tightness in the previous 12 months, and current allergic symptoms), and they found an association with general cleaning (OR 1.63, 95% CI 1.21-2.19) and aerosolized medication administration (OR 1.40, 95% CI 1.06 -1.84).…”