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Publication Details
AFRICAN RESEARCH NEXUS
SHINING A SPOTLIGHT ON AFRICAN RESEARCH
medicine
Occupational allergy and asthma among salt water fish processing workers
American Journal of Industrial Medicine, Volume 51, No. 12, Year 2008
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Description
Background: Fish processing is a common economic activity in Southern Africa. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence and host determinants of allergic symptoms, allergic sensitization, bronchial hyper-responsiveness and asthma among workers processing saltwater fish. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted on 594 currently employed workers in two processing plants involved in pilchard canning and fishmeal processing. A modified European Community Respiratory Health Survey (ECRHS) questionnaire was used. Skin prick tests (SPT) used extracts of common airborne allergens, fresh fish (pilchard, anchovy, maasbanker, mackerel, red eye) and fishmeal. Spirometry and methacholine challenge tests (MCTs; tidal breathing method) used ATS guidelines. Results: Work-related ocular-nasal symptoms (26%) were more common than asthma symptoms (16%). The prevalence of atopy was 36%, while 7% were sensitized to fish species and 26% had NSBH (PC20 ≤ 8 mg/ml or ≥ 12% increase in FEV1 post-bronchodilator). The prevalence of probable occupational asthma was 1.8% and fish allergic rhino-conjunctivitis 2.6%. Women were more likely to report work-related asthma symptoms (OR = 1.94) and have NSBH (OR = 3.09), while men were more likely to be sensitized to fish (OR = 2.06) and have airway obstruction (OR = 4.17). Atopy (OR = 3.16) and current smoking (OR = 2.37), but not habitual seafood consumption were associated with sensitization to fish. Conclusions: Based on comparison with previous published studies, the prevalence of occupational asthma to saltwater fish is lower than due to shellfish. The gendered distribution of work and exposures in fish processing operations together with atopy and cigarette smoking are important determinants of occupational allergy and asthma. © 2008 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Authors & Co-Authors
Jeebhay, Mohamed Fareed
South Africa, Cape Town
University of Cape Town
Robins, Thomas G.
United States, Ann Arbor
University of Michigan, Ann Arbor
Miller, Mary E.
Unknown Affiliation
Bateman, E. D.
South Africa, Cape Town
University of Cape Town
Smuts, Cornelius Marius
South Africa, Tygerberg
South African Medical Research Council
South Africa, Potchefstroom
North-west University
Baatjies, Roslynn
South Africa, Cape Town
University of Cape Town
Lopata, Andreas Ludwig
South Africa, Cape Town
University of Cape Town
Australia, Melbourne
Rmit University
Statistics
Citations: 91
Authors: 7
Affiliations: 5
Identifiers
Doi:
10.1002/ajim.20635
ISSN:
02713586
e-ISSN:
10970274
Research Areas
Environmental
Health System And Policy
Substance Abuse
Study Design
Cross Sectional Study
Study Approach
Quantitative
Participants Gender
Male
Female