218757 Environment related respiratory health problems among veterinary students at St George's University

Wednesday, November 10, 2010

Carla Richards, MSPH Student , St George's University, St George's, Grenada
Muge Akpinar-Elci, MD, MPH , Department of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, St George's University, St George's, Grenada
Rohini Roopnarine, BVSc, MRCVS, M Phil , School of Veterinary Medicine, St George's University, St George's, Grenada
Emmanuel Keku, MD, MA, MSPH , Department of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, St George's University, St George's, Grenada
Omur Cinar Elci, MD, PhD, FRSPH , St George's University, St George's, Grenada
Abstract Background: This study determined the prevalence of respiratory health problems and their possible link to environmental pollution especially indoor air in veterinary medicine students. Method: A cross-sectional study design was used to administer validated questionnaire to collect data on demographics, airways symptoms, physician-diagnosed diseases, environmental exposure, personal behavior and family history. The questionnaire was sent to 389 veterinary students online. Study procedures were approved by the Institutional Review Board of the University. Results: One hundred and twenty students participated in this study; participation rate was 30.8%. Participants were mostly female (83%) and nonsmokers (17 %) with a mean age of 28. The most common lower respiratory symptom was dry cough (27.5%) and 16.7% reported wheezing. The most common rhinitis symptom was sneezing (39.5%). The prevalence of physician diagnosed asthma was 9.2% and rhinitis was 5.8%. All the students surveyed handled live animals as part of their veterinary training. Sixty-three participants observed mold in their living environments. A positive association was found between asthma symptoms and female students who were exposed to mold (OR: 2.6, 95% CI: 1.1-6.2) and exposed to pet dander (OR: 3.1, 95% CI: 1.3-7.4). Conclusion: Pet dander and mold might be possible risk factors for asthma among veterinary students.

Learning Areas:
Occupational health and safety

Learning Objectives:
Describe the prevalence of respiratory health problems and their possible link to environmental pollution, specifically indoor and outdoor air pollution

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: I am qualified to present because I did the research on the topic as part of my Masters in Public Health.
Any relevant financial relationships? No

I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines, and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed in my presentation.

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