Work-related respiratory symptoms in bird zoo keepers--questionnaire data.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the risk factors for the development of airway diseases from occupational exposure to birds' allergens among Polish zoo garden keepers caring for birds.


METHODS
Two hundred workers responded to the questionnaire including the history of work-related symptoms, job characteristics, description of occupational exposure, information on smoking habit, contact with birds and animals at home and family history of allergic diseases.


RESULTS
General work-related symptoms were reported by 58 subjects (29%), whereas work-related respiratory symptoms were found in 40 workers (20%). The multivariate logistic regression analysis confirmed the significant role of positive family history of atopy and occupational contact with parrots either in the development of work-related symptoms or work-related respiratory allergic symptoms.


CONCLUSIONS
The findings may confirm that work-related respiratory symptoms are an important health problem among zoo bird keepers in Poland.
Swiderska-Kiełbik
Sylwia
S
Department of Occupational Diseases and Toxicology, Nofer Institute of Occupational Medicine, Łódź, Poland.
Krakowiak
Anna
A
Wiszniewska
Marta
M
Dudek
Wojciech
W
Kowalczyk
Monika
M
Walusiak-Skorupa
Jolanta
J
Sliwkiewicz
Konrad
K
Pałczyński
Cezary
C
D000328:Adult; D000818:Animals; D000836:Animals, Zoo; D001717:Birds; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D009784:Occupational Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology*; D016273:Occupational Exposure / Q000009:adverse effects*; D011044:Poland / Q000453:epidemiology; D012140:Respiratory Tract Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology*; D012307:Risk Factors; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires