Fraction of work-related accidents attributable to occupational noise in the city of Botucatu, São Paulo, Brazil.
BACKGROUND
Noise is the most common agent of occupational exposure. It may induce both auditory and extraauditory dysfunction and increase the risk of work accidents. The purpose of this study was to estimate the fraction of accidents attributable to noise occupational exposure in a mid-size city located in southeastern Brazil.


METHODS
In this population case-control study, which included 108 cases and 324 controls, the incidence rate ratio of work accidents controlled for several covariables was obtained by classifying occupational noise exposure into three levels, as well as determining the prevalence in each level.


RESULTS
Based on these data, the attributable fraction was estimated as 0.6391 (95% CI = 0.2341-0.3676), i.e., 63% of the work accidents that took place in the study site were statistically associated with occupational noise exposure.


CONCLUSIONS
The causes of this association as well as its implications in the prevention of work accidents are discussed.
Dias
Adriano
A
Research Support Center Coordinator from Botucatu Medical School, Sao Paulo State University, Botucatu SP, Brazil. adias@fmb.unesp.br
Cordeiro
Ricardo
R
D000062:Accidents, Occupational / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D000328:Adult; D001938:Brazil / Q000453:epidemiology; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D006801:Humans; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D016015:Logistic Models; D008875:Middle Aged; D009623:Noise, Occupational / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D016273:Occupational Exposure / Q000009:adverse effects; D015995:Prevalence; D055815:Young Adult