Factors Related to Lung Capacity among Workers in a Rice Mill in Chai Nat Province

Abstract

Objective: To study lung capacity and factors related to lung capacity among workers in a rice mill in Chai Nat Province. Methods: This cross-sectional analytical study included 66 workers (94.3% of the target population) at a rice mill in Chai Nat Province. The research instruments consisted of a validated 6-part questionnaire (IOC = 0.97, Cronbach's alpha = 0.85) covering personal factor, occupational, work environment, knowledge, attitudes and safety behavior, and a portable spirometer (Spiro pet) to measure lung capacity, which was classified based on Thai national physical fitness standards. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics (percentages) and inferential statistics (Chi-square and Fisher's exact tests) at a 0.05 significance level. Results: The study revealed that 43.9% of the workers had poor lung capacity. Factors significantly associated with poor lung capacity (p-value < 0.05) included being (p-value = 0.044), body mass index (p-value = 0.031), smoking (p-value = 0.005), exercise (p-value = 0.015) and work experience (p-value = 0.018). Notably, safety knowledge, safety attitudes and safety behaviors did not show a statistically significant relationship with lung capacity (p-value > 0.05). These findings suggest that individual physiological factors, health behaviors and years of employment or exposure duration. Conclusion: A substantial proportion of rice mill workers suffer from diminished lung capacity, primarily driven by physiological factors, health behaviors and years of employment or exposure duration. Preventive strategies should emphasize engineering controls, such as enhanced ventilation systems, integrated with intensive personal risk factor management and health behavior modifications to mitigate long-term respiratory health impacts.