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Prevalence of asthma by industry in the US population: A study of 2001 NHIS data
Author(s) -
Bang Ki Moon,
Hnizdo Eva,
Doney Brent
Publication year - 2005
Publication title -
american journal of industrial medicine
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.7
H-Index - 104
eISSN - 1097-0274
pISSN - 0271-3586
DOI - 10.1002/ajim.20170
Subject(s) - medicine , asthma , odds ratio , national health interview survey , recreation , population , demography , confidence interval , environmental health , sociology , political science , law
Background The estimated number of US workers potentially exposed to asthmagens ranges from 8 to 20 million. This study was undertaken to estimate the US prevalence of asthma in adults by industry of employment and to identify industries with elevated risk of asthma. Methods Prevalence analysis was performed on 20,991 adults, 18 years of age and older who participated in the 2001 National Health Interview survey. We used SUDAAN software to estimate the prevalence of self‐reported physician diagnosed asthma by industry, and odds ratios (ORs) for asthma and industry adjusted for age, sex, race, and smoking status. Results The overall prevalence of physician diagnosed asthma was 6.5% (95% CI 6.1–6.9); 4.7% (95% CI 4.1–5.3) for males and 8.5% (95% CI 7.9–9.1) for females. In whites, the prevalence and ORs were significantly elevated for printing, publishing, and allied industries (OR = 2.4, 95% CI 1.2–5.0) and health care (OR = 1.3, 95% CI 1.0–1.7). In blacks, ORs were elevated for furniture, lumber, and wood (OR = 5.9, 95% CI 1.4–25.4) and entertainment and recreation industries (OR = 4.1, 95% CI 1.1–15.9). Other industries with elevated ORs included automobile dealers and gasoline station; durable goods; elementary, secondary schools, and colleges; other personal services; eating and drinking places; entertainment and recreation services; and utility and sanitary. Conclusions Industries with elevated prevalence of asthma are identified. This information helps to target workplaces where detailed investigations for prevention and control may be appropriate. Am. J. Ind. Med. 47:500–508, 2005. © 2005 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.