Assessment of exposure to quarries and pulmonary function among quarry workers in Beit Fajjar village
| dc.contributor.author | Aya Ali Hasan Taqatqa | |
| dc.contributor.author | آية علي حسن طقاطقة | |
| dc.date.accessioned | 2022-10-18T09:13:02Z | |
| dc.date.available | 2022-10-18T09:13:02Z | |
| dc.date.issued | 2021-05-25 | |
| dc.description.abstract | Assessment of exposure to quarries and pulmonary function among quarry workers in Beit Fajjar village. Background: Occupational health has been defined as ―Promotion and maintenance of the highest degree of physical, mental and social well - being of workers in all occupations; (WHO, 2012). Workers in the quarry industry face numerous risks emerging from airborne particulate inhalation, and thisexposure mightpose a major health and safety concern. Aim: This study aims to identify theassessment of exposuretothe quarry industry and pulmonary function among quarry workers in BeitFajjar-Palestine. Methodology: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted in 2020, with a sample of 200 quarry workersthat were conveniently recruited for this study. Data was collected bya data collection sheet, which included personal information of the workers;years of work for workers, and other personal variables, in addition to the ―questionnaire”that is used for chronic respiratory illness assessmentin Epidemiological Research‖.Spirometer device was used in this study to measure the lung functions with main concentration on three parameters: Forced Vital Capacity (FVC), Forced expiratory volume in 1st second (FEV1), and FEV1% (FEV1/FVCV). Results: All of the participants weremale at the worker site. Workers ‗agewasbetween 20 to 50years. Most of participants (77%) did not use personal protective equipment (PPE). 92 percent of the study participants work in quarries for more than 35 hours a week, meaning that the majority of them are at risk of inhaling quarry dust. 77% of the study sample is a smoker, which is a high prevalence. The most common reported respiratory symptoms by the participant were having cough and shortness of breath. Normal lung function test was among only 30% of respondents. Decreased pulmonary function was found among a significant percentage of the industry workers, 48% was found to have a moderate to a severe decrease in FCV, and 31% had a moderate to a severe decrease in FEV1, and 45% had moderate to severe decrease FEV1%. VIII By using independent sample t-test, there was no significant difference in mean FEV1 and FEV1% upon using protective equipment kit, smoking, family history of respiratory disease, worker‘s history of respiratory disease diagnosis, presence of shortness of breath, cough, nasal congestion, and educational level ( p > 0.05), While there was a statistically significant difference of mean FEV1% for the favor of workers without wheezing (88.5 % ) as compared to those who reported wheezing (81.1% )(P = 0.002) . In correlation demographic and work-related variables with FEV1 and FEV1% there was no statistically significant correlation between FEV1, FEV1% and Age, practical, and total working hours per week (p > 0.05). And there is a statistically significant difference of mean FEV1% upon the work place, with favor for the stone crushing industry workers (with FEV1% 89.4%) as compared to the stone pits (with FEV1% of 83.7%). By using multivariate stepwise regression the model revealed that practical experience is the only predictor of FEV1, with very weak R2, justifying nearly 2% of the variation in the dependent variable (FEV1) which is considered a very weak explanation of the variation in the dependent variable and working place represented in the stone pit or crushing is the only significant predictor of FEV1%, in favor for stone crushing facility workers (89.41%, SD 10.47%) as compared to stone pits (83.76%, SD 16.73%), with a very weak explanation of the variation of the dependent variable R2 (0,041). Conclusion: This study showed chronic exposure to quarry dust was associated with deterioration of lung function indicated by reduced lung function indices among quarry workers. This finding reflects the need for periodic evaluation of lung function to help in preventing any deterioration in the respiratory health of these workers. Also, it emphasizes the need for advocacy that will drive the responsible body for this occupation to put clear legislations and enforce these workers to wear the proper PPEs. IX ملخص | |
| dc.identifier.uri | https://dspace.alquds.edu/handle/20.500.12213/6710 | |
| dc.language.iso | en | |
| dc.publisher | Al-Quds University | |
| dc.title | Assessment of exposure to quarries and pulmonary function among quarry workers in Beit Fajjar village | |
| dc.title.alternative | تقييم التعرض لمصانع الحجر على وظائف الرئتين بين العمال في قرية بيت فجار. | |
| dc.type | Thesis |