Noise-Related Hearing Disorder Among Vector Control Workers in Kuala Lumpur.

Autor: Yap KK; Social Preventive Medicine, University Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, MYS., Ismail NH; Health and Environment, Kuala Lumpur City Hall, Kuala Lumpur, MYS., Supramanian RK; Social Preventive Medicine, University Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, MYS., Lim YC; Social Preventive Medicine, University Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, MYS.
Jazyk: angličtina
Zdroj: Cureus [Cureus] 2023 Oct 13; Vol. 15 (10), pp. e46965. Date of Electronic Publication: 2023 Oct 13 (Print Publication: 2023).
DOI: 10.7759/cureus.46965
Abstrakt: Introduction Noise-related hearing disorder (NRHD) is the second most common sensorineural hearing loss, right after age-related hearing loss (presbycusis). It is the highest reported occupational disease and a major compensable occupational hazard in Malaysia. With the increase in dengue cases, the need for vector control workers to control the spread of dengue at the expense of being exposed to noisy fogging machines is critical. Methods This was a cross-sectional study of vector control workers conducted by a local authority in Kuala Lumpur. Participants were categorised as either vector control workers who were directly involved in fogging activities or those who were not. A self-administered questionnaire was used to collect sociodemographic, medical and occupational information. NRHD was confirmed by an audiogram test. Results This study found a high prevalence of NRHD among vector control workers exposed to fogging activity (occupational noise hazards), with 51.4% of them experiencing this condition. The predictors of NRHD include fogging status adjusted odds ratio (aOR) 1.94 (95% CI: 1.19 - 3.17), sex 18.28 (95% CI: 2.33 - 143.16) and age 2.03 (95% CI: 1.27 - 3.25). Conclusion The findings of this study imply that vector control workers are at risk of NRHD. The predictors of NRHD are fogging status, sex and age. These findings emphasise the major impact of occupational noise hazards on NRHD and emphasise the importance of addressing this issue to preserve employees' health; especially among male and older employees with chronic noise exposure.
Competing Interests: The authors have declared that no competing interests exist.
(Copyright © 2023, Yap et al.)
Databáze: MEDLINE