Evaluation of pulmonary function of construction workers in Tehran city in 2017

Abstract

Introduction: Construction industry plays a major role in the economic development of all countries and among the various occupations, this industry is one of the most dangerous industries, particularly respiratory contaminants, around the world. The aim of this study was to evaluate the respiratory capacity of construction workers, working in different workshops in Tehran city and developing a regression model to examine the relationship between pulmonary capacities with the type of occupation, work experience and tobacco smoking. Material and Method: This study was a cross-sectional descriptive study conducted among 628 construction workers in Tehran city in 2017. After data collection, data analyses were performed using statistical independent t-test, one way ANOVA and correlation tests by SPSS software version 22. Also, multiple backward regression was used to check the effect of independent variables on lung function. Result: According to the results of this study, a significant relationship was found between age and work history with the pulmonary function indexes (FVC, FEV1, FEV1/FVC and FEF25-75%) (P-value<0.001). The average of FEV1/FVC% was significantly different among various occupational groups (p-value<0.001). In the analysis of the findings of the pulmonary function test in the exposed group a separate model was made using multiple linear regression for each of the pulmonary functions, and the independent variables including age, work experience, job type and cigarette addiction were entered into the model. Conclusion: The present study showed a significant change in the pulmonary function parameters of the construction workers and the chance of pulmonary disorders might be high among these individuals.

Keywords

• spirometry
• construction
• regression model
• fvc
• fev1/fvc
• fev1