A Study on the Respiratory System Health Condition of Dental Laboratory Technicians in Jullabuk-do

전라북도 치과기공사들의 호흡기계 건강에 관한 조사연구 (1993년도와 2001년도 비교연구)

The purpose of this study was to examine the respiratory system health condition of dental technicians and to be of use for more successful health management and health promotion for them. The subjects in this study were 155 dental technicians who were working in North Jeolla province. Out of them, 70 dental mechanics were investigated in 1993, and 85 were surveyed in 2001. And the reports of the two groups on respiratory distress, including cough, sputum, phlegm, the notable sound of breathing, nasal discharge, coryza, shortness of breath and gasping, were compared. The findings of this study were as below: 1. The cough report rate was 24.3% in 1993 and 16.5% in 2001. There appeared approximately 7.8% decrease between the two years. The most powerful variables included working hours and age. 2. The complaint rate of sputum and phlegm was 47.1% in 1993 and 43.5% in 2001. The rate of 2001 reduced by 3.6%. Whether or not they smoked was identified as the most influential variable. 3. The report rate of shortness of breath and gasping was 7.4% in 1993 and 12.9% in 2001, and this rate showed about 1.5% increase in the latter year. The biggest variables were working hours and career. 4. The complaint rate of nasal discharge and coryza was 41.4% in 1993 and 44.7% in 2001, which showed about 3.3% increase. The largest variables were smoking and career. 5. The report rate of the notable sound of breathing and breathing in light little gasps was 12.0% in 1993 and 17.6% in 2001. There was approximately 5.6% increase, and the most powerful variables were working hours and career.