Respiratory allergy and asthma associated with pesticide exposure amongst women in rural Western Cape
Master Thesis
2012
Permanent link to this Item
Authors
Journal Title
Link to Journal
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Publisher
University of Cape Town
Faculty
License
Series
Abstract
Pesticide exposure has been increasingly associated with adverse respiratory health effects including asthma and allergy. However, few studies have been conducted among women and workers in developing countries. South Africa is one of the largest users of pesticides on the continent and the Western Cape is one of the main agricultural areas in the country, with uncontrolled use posing an increased health risk to farm workers. This study focused on determining the association between pesticide exposure (predominantly organophosphates and carbamates) and the presence of allergy and asthma among women farm workers and residents. A cross-sectional study was conducted on 211 women including those working and living on farms (farm dwellers, n=121) and those residing in neighbouring farm areas (town dwellers, n=90). Outcome measurements included the abbreviated European Community Respiratory Health questionnaire, fractional exhaled nitric oxide (FeNO) levels and immunological tests (a positive Phadiatop test indicating atopy and quantification of specific IgE to house dust mite, storage mite and spider mite). The outcome variables included doctor diagnosed asthma, adult onset asthma, current asthma, allergic sensitisation, allergic airway inflammation and the asthma symptom score. The asthma symptom score was a continuous outcome generated as the sum of positive responses to four questions on asthma symptoms in the last 12 months including wheeze with breathlessness, woken up with chest tightness, attack of shortness of breath at rest and woken by attack of coughing. The asthma symptom score values ranged from from 0 for no symptoms to 4 for all symptoms.
Description
Includes bibliographical references.
Keywords
Reference:
Ndlovu, V. 2012. Respiratory allergy and asthma associated with pesticide exposure amongst women in rural Western Cape. University of Cape Town.