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Indian Pediatr 2011;48: 4 87-488 |
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Peak Expiratory Flow Rate Among Child
Labourers in West Bengal, India |
Banibrata Das,* Tirthankar Ghosh$,
and Somnath Gangopadhyay#
* Department
of Physiology, South Calcutta Girls College; and #Occupational
Ergonomics Laboratory, Department of Physiology; University of
Calcutta, Kolkata, India; and $Department
of Physiology, Manipal College of Medical Sciences, Pokhara, Nepal.
Email:
[email protected]
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This study was conducted to evaluate Peak expiratory flow rate (PEFR) in
different groups of working children. Study population comprises of 300
child workers, 100 in each group (agricultural workers, constructional
workers, control group or domestic workers with equal sex, age and
socioeconomic distribution). PEFR value was lowest among construction
workers. PEFR values of all subjects had a linear relationship with age,
weight, and height.
Key words: Child labor, Peak expiratory flow rate,
Occupational illness.
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The workplace whether construction-related or agricultural, has long been
known to be associated with respiratory disorders. Respiratory diseases
are among the chronic health conditions which affect the child laborer.
The present study was conducted to compare the peak expiratory flow
rates (PEFR) of different groups (agricultural and constructional)
of child workers with the control subjects. Study population comprised of
300 children, 100 in each group (agricultural workers, constructional
workers, control group matched for sex, age and socio-economic status).
Each group of subjects was selected from the rural part of West Bengal.
Before conducting the study, permission was obtained from Institutional
Ethical Clearance Committee.
The stature and weight of the participants were
measured by Martin’s Anthropometer and weighing machine, respectively.
Assessment of respiratory systems was done using a questionnaires,
consisting of three parts, (i) personal and work characteristics
and medical history, (ii) respiratory health and illnesses, (iii)
smoking habits. Measurement of PEFR was done with the help of a Wright’s
Mini Peak Flow Meter (Clement Clarke). The PEFR test was performed in
standing position while holding the peak flow meter horizontally. Subjects
were asked to take in a deep breath as far as possible and then blow out
as hard and as quickly as possible. The highest of the three ratings was
recorded. One-way ANOVA was employed for comparing the PEFR data between
the three groups. Statistical analysis was performed using the statistical
package (Primer of Biostatistics).
The agricultural and constructional workers were noted
to work seven days a week, working 10.5 (± 1.37) and 7.2 (±1.46) hours per
day, respectively. The controls worked 4.1 (±1.52) hours per day. No
history of smoking or pre-existing respiratory symptoms was elicited in
any child.
The average PEFR value of male agricultural workers
construction workers and controls were 286.9 (±32.32) L/min, 282.5 (±
29.66) L/min and 303.0 (±31.05) L/min, respectively. There was a
significant difference in PEFR values (P=0.003) between the three
groups of male subjects. The average PEFR value of female agricultural
workers construction workers and female control group were 272.5 (±22.0)
L/min, 270.5 (± 28.38) L/min and 283.0 (±27.27) L/ min, respectively.
There was a significant difference in PEFR values (P=0.039) between
the three groups of female subjects. The PEFR in all groups were
significantly positively correlated with age, height and weight.
The PEFR is an accepted index of pulmonary function and
is widely used in respiratory medicine [1]. Similar to previous
reports, we also found that the PEFR values significantly
correlated with age, weight, and height of the subjects [2]. This study
revealed that child construction workers had much lower PEFR value
than those working in agricultural sector. Similar findings have been
reported by previous workers with respect to workers in the construction
industry [3,4]. Construction workers are exposed to a wide range of
substances that are potentially hazardous to the respiratory system,
including cement dust, wood dust from sawing, dust from the ground, fumes
from welding, which lower the PEFR value [5,6]. Debray, et al. [7]
suggested that the inhalation of these dust particles leads to deposition
on the lining of the alveoli, which may reduce the ventilation-perfusion
ratio and thus reduces the maximum oxygen uptake. This deposition may also
be the cause of lower lung capacity and thus lower PEFR.
Funding: None. Competing interests: None
stated.
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