title: Association of blood lead levels with demographic, reproductive and employment related factors in Turkish women.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this study is to compare the blood lead levels in employed and unemployed women and associate the difference with sociodemographic and reproductive factors.
  
  
  METHODS
  Out of a 100 women attending the routine check-up unit of Family Medicine Department for screening of osteoporosis and blood lead levels, 63 post-menopausal participants; 36 unemployed and 27 employed, were included in the study.
  
  
  METHODS
  Patients completed a questionnaire regarding their sociodemographics. Their blood chemistry and blood lead levels were determined and bone mineral densities were measured by Dual Energy X-Ray Absorptiometry. In the statistical analysis, Mann-Whitney U test was used to compare means and χ<formula> ^{2}</formula> was used to compare ratios. Backward logistic regression was used for multivariate analysis.
  
  
  RESULTS
  There was no significant difference between the age (57.17 ± 7.46; unemployed, 54.19 ± 5.36; employed). The mean blood lead levels were 25.92 ± 9.31 μ g/dl in the unemployed group and 33.98 ± 13.50 μg/dl in the employed group (p=0.011) adjusted for age. Smoking rate was significantly higher in employed women (p=0.033) whereas the number of births (p=0.032) and duration of breastfeeding (p=0.008) were significantly lower. Although both groups were osteoporotic and post-menopausal, there was no association between osteoporosis and employment while unemployed women had an earlier menopause (p=0.037).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Lead levels are above the accepted threshhold (20 μg/dl) in both groups. Strict environmental and social improvement efforts in both groups are recommended.
authors.affiliation: Department of Family Medicine, Istanbul University, Cerrahpasa Medical Faculty, Istanbul, Turkey.
authors.forename: Nurver
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Turfaner
authors.forename: Selçuk
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Köksal
authors.forename: Ethem
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Erginöz
authors.forename: Derviş
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Özçelik
authors.forename: Haluk
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Sayman
authors.forename: Fikret
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Sipahioğlu
mesh_terms: D015519:Bone Density; D001942:Breast Feeding; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004651:Employment; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007854:Lead / Q000097:blood*; D008875:Middle Aged; D010024:Osteoporosis / Q000097:blood; D010298:Parity; D017698:Postmenopause; D012111:Residence Characteristics; D012907:Smoking; D013997:Time Factors; D014421:Turkey
chemical_list: D007854:Lead