title: Individual characteristics and quitting in apprentices exposed to high-molecular-weight agents.
abstract: To determine whether specific immunological sensitization (SIS) and symptoms of allergy are associated with quitting apprenticeships with exposure to high-molecular-weight (HMW) agents. In a cohort study of 769 apprentices starting career programs in animal health technology (AHT), pastry-making (PM), and dental hygiene technology (DHT), health status was assessed at baseline and yearly for up to 44 mo. Subjects who quit the apprenticeship were contacted and offered a last series of measurements as if they pursued. The effect of various factors-at baseline and during the career program-on quitting was examined. Eighty-nine of 769 subjects (11.6%) quit, of whom 74 participated in this study. In multivariate analysis, a history of hay fever (OR = 1.66, 95% CI = 1.0 to 2.75) and attending the pastry-making program (OR = 2.33, 95% CI = 1.11 to 4.91) were significant determinants for quitting. In the subgroup of AHT, SIS to laboratory animals, hay fever, and shortness of breath were significant determinants by univariate analysis; in PM, the only determinant was age; and in DHT, hay fever. Work-related symptoms during training were not associated with quitting. In a multivariate logistic regression analysis in AHT, including characteristics at baseline and at follow-up, baseline SIS (OR = 2.8, 95% CI = 0.94 to 8.38) and symptoms of asthma in general during follow-up (OR = 2.2, 95% CI = 0.94 to 5.38) were the main determinants for quitting, though they were of borderline significance. We conclude that health-related self-selection out of an apprenticeship with exposure to HMW agents is likely to occur and to cause an attrition bias.
authors.affiliation: Department of Chest Medicine, Hôpital du Sacré-Coeur, Université de Montréal, Quebec, Canada.
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Monsó
authors.forename: J L
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Malo
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Infante-Rivard
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Ghezzo
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Magnan
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: L'Archevèque
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Trudeau
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Gautrin
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000485:Allergens; D017750:Animal Technicians; D001249:Asthma / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000175:diagnosis; D003756:Dental Hygienists; D005260:Female; D005511:Food Handling; D006801:Humans; D006967:Hypersensitivity / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology; D008297:Male; D008970:Molecular Weight; D009784:Occupational Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000175:diagnosis; D016273:Occupational Exposure; D010563:Personnel Turnover; D012307:Risk Factors
chemical_list: D000485:Allergens