Occupational Exposure to Dust and the Relationship With the Respiratory Symptoms, Lung Function Among Construction Workers of the University of Malaysia Sabah (UMS)

Background The respiratory tract often becomes the site of injury from occupational exposure. All construction sites generate high levels of dust, typically from concrete, silica, asbestos, cement, wood, stone, sand and therefore, the workers are exposed to this airborne dust and increased their risk of developing respiratory disorders. Limited studies have been conducted to assess the relationship between respiratory symptoms, lung function and occupational dust exposure among construction workers in Sabah. The objectives of this study are to determine the occupational exposure to dust and the relationship with the respiratory symptoms as well as lung function among construction workers in UMS Teaching Hospital.

Materials and methods This cross-sectional study consisted of construction workers working in all sections in the development of UMS Teaching Hospital. A standard respiratory questionnaire was distributed to construction workers and lung function measurement was performed using Spirometry and the results of their respiratory status were compared between workers who were exposed and unexposed to dust. Occupational dust exposure was determined by the gravimetric method using an air sampler. The total duration of the collection was 8 hours and the filters with the dust samples were analyzed in the laboratory.

Study Overview

• Status: Completed
• Conditions: Occupational Exposure
• Intervention / Treatment: Other: no intervention

• Study Type: Observational
• Enrollment (Actual): 152

Contacts and Locations

Study Locations

• Malaysia
  • Sabah
    • Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, Malaysia, 88400
      • Universiti Malaysia Sabah

Participation Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

• Ages Eligible for Study: 18 years to 65 years (Adult, Older Adult)
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: N/A
• Genders Eligible for Study: All

• Sampling Method: Probability Sample

Study Population

construction workers who work at the construction site

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

• all construction worker

Exclusion Criteria:

• has chronic lung impairment

Study Plan

How is the study designed?

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Number of participants with Occupational exposure to dust	Number of participants with Occupational exposure to dust and having respiratory symptoms	2019-2020

Collaborators and Investigators

• Sponsor: Universiti Malaysia Sabah

Study record dates

Study Major Dates

• Study Start (Actual): January 1, 2019
• Primary Completion (Actual): October 1, 2019
• Study Completion (Actual): January 1, 2020

Study Registration Dates

• First Submitted: January 25, 2022
• First Submitted That Met QC Criteria: February 3, 2022
• First Posted (Actual): February 7, 2022

Study Record Updates

• Last Update Posted (Actual): February 7, 2022
• Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria: February 3, 2022
• Last Verified: February 1, 2022

More Information

Terms related to this study

• Keywords: Occupational exposure, Air pollution, Lung function
• Additional Relevant MeSH Terms: Signs and Symptoms, Respiratory
• Other Study ID Numbers: JKEtika 3/18 (9).

Drug and device information, study documents

• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product: No
• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product: No