Predictors of obstructive lung disease among seafood processing workers along the west coast of the Western Cape of South Africa

Introduction: This study examined the patterns and the prevalence of obstructive lung disease (asthma and COPD) and associated risk factors (age, gender, atopy, smoking history, allergic history, previous history of lung disease, occupational exposures, seafood intake) in a working population of seafood processing workers along the West coast of the Western Cape of South Africa. Materials and method: A cross-sectional study was conducted 643 currently employed workers in two fish processing plants working fish canning and fishmeal processing. A modified version of the European Community Respiratory Health Survey (ECRHS) questionnaire was used. Skin prick tests (SPT) used extracts of common airborne allergen. Lung function spirometry and methacholine challenge tests (tidal breathing method) conducted using Vitallograph S-model bellows volume-time spirometers according to ATS guidelines. Serum omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acid levels also analysed to examine the association between dietary fatty acids and asthma outcomes. Multivariate regression models were developed for asthma outcomes after adjusting for age, gender, sex and atopic status whilst the models were adjusted for age, gender and smoking history for COPD outcomes.

Grantor dc:publisher.institution

Department of Public Health and Family Medicine

Year dc:date.issued

2007

Author dc:creator

• Adams, Shahieda

Advisor dc:contributor.advisor

• Jeebhay, Mohamed Fareed

Language dc:language.iso

eng

Handle dc:identifier.uri

http://hdl.handle.net/11427/14736

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:open.uct.ac.za:11427/14736