Bener A, Galadari I, al-Mutawa J K, al-Maskari F, Das M, Abuzeid M S
Department of Community Medicine, Faculty of Medicine & Health Sciences, United Arab Emirates University, Al-Ain United Arab Emirates.
J R Soc Promot Health. 1998 Dec;118(6):346-53. doi: 10.1177/146642409811800613.
The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of some respiratory symptoms and possible diseases among occupationally-exposed garage workers and taxi drivers. This study involved 158 garage workers and 165 taxi drivers, matched for age, sex, nationality and duration of employment. The mean age of 158 Indian subcontinent garage workers was 34.4 +/- 10.4 years; their mean height and weight were 167.7 +/- 6.6 cm and 72.0 +/- 12.3 kg respectively, and the mean duration of employment garage workers was 8.8 +/- 7.6 years. The mean age of 165 Indian subcontinent male taxi drivers was 34.5 +/- 7.7 years; their mean height and weight were 168.7 +/- 6.1 cm and 71.3 +/- 12.6 kg respectively; and the mean duration of employment was 7.5 +/- 5.4 years. The data on chronic respiratory symptoms showed that garage workers had higher prevalence of symptoms than taxi drivers being significantly greater for chronic phlegm, (p < 0.007); dyspneoa (p < 0.001); and sinusitis (p < 0.03). A higher prevalence of all acute symptoms was recorded in garage workers than in taxi drivers, although the differences were significant only for throat (p < 0.02), hearing problems (p < 0.002); nose (dryness, bleeding and secretion) (p < 0.008); and low back pain (p < 0.05). Almost all forced spirometric tests in the exposed garage workers were lower than in taxi drivers. The results of stepwise multiple regression analysis showed that only phlegm, sinusitis, hearing problems, nasal catarrh, throat, low back pain, smoking and FEF25-75, variables were statistically significant predictors as risk factors. In conclusion, the present study suggests that a high prevalence of respiratory symptoms is associated with exposure to motor vehicle exhaust emission in garage working places. Long-term working as garage workers in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), may be associated with the development of chronic respiratory symptoms and have effects on their daily life and health.
本研究的目的是确定职业暴露的汽车修理工和出租车司机中某些呼吸道症状及可能疾病的患病率。本研究纳入了158名汽车修理工和165名出租车司机，他们在年龄、性别、国籍和工作年限方面相互匹配。158名印度次大陆汽车修理工的平均年龄为34.4±10.4岁；他们的平均身高和体重分别为167.7±6.6厘米和72.0±12.3千克，汽车修理工的平均工作年限为8.8±7.6年。165名印度次大陆男性出租车司机的平均年龄为34.5±7.7岁；他们的平均身高和体重分别为168.7±6.1厘米和71.3±12.6千克；平均工作年限为7.5±5.4年。慢性呼吸道症状的数据显示，汽车修理工的症状患病率高于出租车司机，慢性咳痰（p<0.007）、呼吸困难（p<0.001）和鼻窦炎（p<0.03）的差异尤为显著。汽车修理工所有急性症状的患病率均高于出租车司机，尽管差异仅在喉咙（p<0.02）、听力问题（p<0.002）、鼻子（干燥、出血和分泌物）（p<0.008）和腰痛（p<0.05）方面具有统计学意义。几乎所有暴露的汽车修理工的用力肺活量测试结果均低于出租车司机。逐步多元回归分析结果显示，只有咳痰、鼻窦炎、听力问题、鼻黏膜炎、喉咙、腰痛、吸烟和FEF25-75这些变量作为危险因素具有统计学意义的预测作用。总之，本研究表明呼吸道症状的高患病率与汽车修理工作场所机动车尾气排放暴露有关。在阿拉伯联合酋长国（阿联酋）长期从事汽车修理工工作，可能与慢性呼吸道症状的发生有关，并对他们的日常生活和健康产生影响。
