Respiratory manifestations and respiratory diseases: prevalence and risk factors among pig farmers in Braço do Norte, Brazil.
OBJECTIVE
To describe the prevalence of signs and symptoms of respiratory disease among pig farmers in Braço do Norte, Santa Catarina, Brazil, evaluating the characteristics of swine confinement buildings and identifying potential risk factors.


METHODS
An exploratory, cross-sectional, observational study involving interviews and pulmonary function tests (spirometry). Aspects related to job history, work conditions, and environment, as well as to respiratory status and smoking, were evaluated. Odds ratios were used to estimate the chances of exposure when comparing pig farmers according to the signs and symptoms of respiratory disease.


RESULTS
The prevalence of clinical signs and symptoms of respiratory disease was 84.3%, clinical manifestations of bronchial asthma were detected in 5.6% of the farmers evaluated, and chronic bronchitis was diagnosed in 5.1% of the workers over the age of 40. Only 2.6% used specific individual respiratory protection devices. Respiratory disease was positively associated with low socioeconomic level, low level of education, smoking, the use of wood stoves, and the use of disinfectants. Work load and length of employment were both apparently associated with a lower prevalence of respiratory disease.


CONCLUSIONS
The association between duration of employment and lower prevalence of respiratory disease can be attributed to the healthy worker effect. However, the evident respiratory impairment among pig farmers and the limited use of personal protective equipment draw attention to the need to implement a program to monitor exposure and regulate environmental factors.
Costa
Marcelo
M
Universidade do Sul de Santa Catarina, Santa Catarina, SC, Brasil.
Teixeira
Paulo José Zimermann
PJ
Freitas
Paulo Fontoura
PF
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000382:Agricultural Workers' Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology; D016902:Air Pollution, Indoor / Q000009:adverse effects; D000818:Animals; D001249:Asthma / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology; D001938:Brazil / Q000453:epidemiology; D029481:Bronchitis, Chronic / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology; D003296:Cooking; D004202:Disinfectants / Q000009:adverse effects; D004781:Environmental Exposure / Q000009:adverse effects; D004812:Epidemiologic Methods; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016273:Occupational Exposure / Q000009:adverse effects; D012134:Respiratory Protective Devices; D012140:Respiratory Tract Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology; D012907:Smoking / Q000009:adverse effects; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D013147:Spirometry; D013552:Swine; D013997:Time Factors
D004202:Disinfectants