The Prevalence of Dermal and Respiratory Symptoms among Greenhouse Agricultural Workers: A Surveillance Study


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ADIBELLİ D., SÜMEN A.

Cyprus Journal of Medical Sciences, vol.8, no.3, pp.197-204, 2023 (Peer-Reviewed Journal) identifier

Abstract

BACKGROUND/AIMS: This study was conducted to examine the prevalence of dermal and respiratory symptoms among workers in greenhouse agriculture. MATERIAL AND METHODS: This cross-sectional study was conducted with 529 greenhouse workers in a district center between March and September 2020. The data collection form was developed by researchers to collect the research data. Descriptive statistics and logistic regression analysis were used in the analysis. RESULTS: 41.8% of the participants stated that they used gloves and 25.8% of them used masks while working, but 7.0% of them reported that they did not use any personal protective equipment. It was found that working for 8 h or more per day was associated with respiratory distress, itching-rashing on skin, and nose-eye problems, while working for 25 days or more per month was associated with respiratory distress and cough complaints (p<0.05). Working in the tasks of seed sowing, pesticide application/spraying, and grafting was found to be associated with wheezing, coughing, itching-rashing on skin, and nose-eye problems (p<0.05). Those who did not wear protective equipment suffered from wheezing, and those who did not use a mask had bronchitis, cough, wheezing, itching-rashing on skin, and nose-eye problems (p<0.05). CONCLUSION: Working conditions, a type of work done in greenhouse agriculture, and failure to use personal protective equipment increase the prevalence of dermal and respiratory symptoms.