Work-related respiratory disorders and farming characteristics among cattle farmers in Northern Germany.
BACKGROUND
The aim of this cross-sectional study was to investigate the prevalence of respiratory symptoms among Northern German farmers in relation to cattle farming characteristics.


METHODS
1735 farmers were visited on their farms and were interviewed using a standardized questionnaire on work-related respiratory symptoms and farming details.


RESULTS
84.6% of the farmers were cattle farmers. The prevalence of work-related respiratory symptoms was 40.3%. In a multiple logistic regression model adjusting for response rate, age, gender, and smoking habits, work-related respiratory symptoms were shown to be significantly associated with the ventilation of the cattle house (OR (ventilation via the wall): 0.57), feeding management (OR (feeding once daily): 0.53), and plant crop (OR: 0. 75). Farmers, living inland, showed a significant higher prevalence of work-related respiratory symptoms (OR: 1.34).


CONCLUSIONS
The use of ventilation via the wall might be recommended for new cattle houses in regions with warm winters.
Radon
K
K
Institute of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Ludwig-Maximilians-University, Munich, Germany. K.Radon@lrz.uni-muenchen.de
Opravil
U
U
Hartung
J
J
Szadkowski
D
D
Nowak
D
D
D000367:Age Factors; D000821:Animal Feed; D000822:Animal Husbandry; D000818:Animals; D002417:Cattle; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D002523:Edible Grain; D005260:Female; D005858:Germany / Q000453:epidemiology; D006799:Housing, Animal; D006801:Humans; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009784:Occupational Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology*; D015995:Prevalence; D012140:Respiratory Tract Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology*; D012737:Sex Factors; D012907:Smoking / Q000453:epidemiology; D014691:Ventilation