title: Distribution of influenza-like illness (ILI) by occupation in Washington State, September 2009-August 2010.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  We aim to estimate the prevalence of influenza-like illness (ILI) by occupation and to identify occupations associated with increased ILI prevalence.
  
  
  METHODS
  Between September 2009 and August 2010, the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) included questions on ILI symptoms on the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS). Washington State collects the occupation of all employed BRFSS respondents. ILI prevalence and prevalence ratios (PR) were calculated by occupational group.
  
  
  RESULTS
  There were 8,758 adult, currently employed, non-military respondents to the Washington BRFSS during the study period. The ILI prevalence for all employed respondents was 6.8% (95% Confidence Interval (95% CI) = 6.1, 7.6). PRs indicated a lower prevalence of ILI in Technicians (PR = 0.4, 95% CI = 0.2, 0.9) and Truck Drivers (PR = 0.2, 95% CI = 0.1, 0.7) and higher prevalence in Janitors and Cleaners (PR = 2.5, 95% CI = 1.3, 4.7) and Secretaries (PR = 2.4, 95% CI = 1.1, 5.4).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Some occupations appear to have higher prevalence of ILI than others. These occupational differences may be explained, in part, by differing levels of social contact with the public or contact with contaminated surfaces at work, or by other occupational factors such as stress or access to health care resources.
authors.affiliation: Washington State Department of Labor & Industries, Safety & Health Assessment & Research for Prevention Program, Olympia, Washington, United States of America. anna235@lni.wa.gov
authors.forename: Naomi J
authors.initials: NJ
authors.lastname: Anderson
authors.forename: David K
authors.initials: DK
authors.lastname: Bonauto
authors.forename: Z Joyce
authors.initials: ZJ
authors.lastname: Fan
authors.forename: June T
authors.initials: JT
authors.lastname: Spector
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D005260:Female; D006306:Health Surveys; D049674:History, 21st Century; D006801:Humans; D007251:Influenza, Human / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000266:history; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009790:Occupations; D015995:Prevalence; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014861:Washington / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000208:ethnology; D055815:Young Adult