Factors affecting of silicosis among stone grinding mill workers in Chonburi province

Abstract

The objective of this research is to study the factors influencing silicosis among stone grinding mill workers in Chonburi province by data analysis of health examination results from Chonburi Hospital in 2020. There were 957 workers receiving health examinations. The study was Cross-sectional descriptive study and analyzed by multiple logistic regression statistics. Workers were overweight, Obesity class 1 and 2 equal to16.9%, 36.9%, 20.1%, respectively and were diabetic, high blood pressure, hyperlipidemia equal to 6.1%, 16.1%, 4.2%, respectively and smoking 31.3%. Prevalence of silicosis was 32.9%. Workers with silicosis had a higher proportion of obstructive and mixed pattern of pulmonary function than workers without silicosis. The 18.3 percent of workers wore N95 Masks and 55.9 percent of workers wore mask at all times. Factors that influenced silicosis were age, with increasing age of 1 year increased the risk of silicosis by 1.12 times (95% CI=1.09-1.15), 1-year extended working period increased the risk of silicosis by 1.06 times (95% CI=1.04-1.09), Jaw crusher unit and production unit were 4.41 and 2.38 times more at risk of silicosis than office unit (95% CI=3.31-15.22, 1.23-4.81) respectively and wearing an N95 mask reduced the risk of silicosis by 14.8% (95% CI=0.79-0.94). The Relevant organizations should have screening program, health promotion and smoking cessation program in workplace regarding to chronic non – communicable diseases, education of workers, and raising awareness on the use of protective masks. The factory should provide N95 or standard mask type to employees and pay attention to surveillance and prevention of silicosis, especially for high-risk process such as jaw crusher unit, production unit, etc.