Ruang lingkup dan metodologi : Telah banyak bukti yang menggambarkan dampak buruk dari debu kayu terhadap kesehatan. Penelitian ini ingin membuktikan bahwa debu kayu mungkin berhubungan dengan timbulnya asma kerja di Mangan pekerja mebel sektor informal. Penelitian ini adalah penelitian retrospektif dengan melibatkan total populasi pekerja di tempat penelitian. Peserta penelitian adalah 135 dari 274 (49.27%) orang pekerja dengan rentang usia 18 - 60 tahun. Data didapatkan dari wawancara, pemeriksaan fisik serta pengukuran fungsi paru, dalam kurun waktu Juli sampai Augustus 2004. Dan selain itu, dilakukan juga pemeriksaan debu lingkungan kerja baik total maupun respirabel. Analisis bivariat digunakan untuk menilai hubungan semua faktor risiko tersebut dengan timbulnya asma kerja. Hasil dan Kesimpulan : Dan populasi penelitian, 24 orang (17.8%) adalah penderita asma, dengan asma kerja 11,11% dan asma yang diperburuk oleh kerja sebesar 6.67%. Setelah dilakukan analisis multivariat, diketahui faktor risiko maupun yang berpengaruh terhadap timbulnya asma kerja, yaitu indeks masa tubuh (OR : 26.625, 95% CI : 4.198-168.846, dan p < 0.001), riwayat atopi (DR : 14.250, 95% CI : 2.685-75.620, dan p < 0.002), keluhan hidung (OR : 5.714, 95% CI : 1.779-18.356, dan p = 0.003) serta lokasi kerja dengan debu tinggi (OR : 4.295, 95% CI : 1.195-15.439 dan p = 0.026). Dapat disimpulkan bahwa indek masa tubuh, riwayat alergi serta pajanan debu tinggi memainkan peranan penting dalam terjadinya asma akibat kerja.

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Scope and methodology : Evidence was accumulated concerning the adverse effects of wood-dust. Studies have suggested that wood-dust may be associated with work related asthma among furniture workers at informal sector. This study was population-based and retrospective. The selected participants were 135 from 274 (49.27%) workers who ranged in age from 18 to 60 years. Data used were derived from interview, physical examinations, and lung function test during July up till Augustus 2004. Beside that, measuring if dust at working environtment had been conducted, either against total dust or respirable. Bivariate analysis was used to examine the association among all risk factors and work-related asthma.

Results and Conclusion : Study found that 24 workers (17.8 %) were suffering from asthma, were divided into occupational asthma 11.11% and work-aggravated asthma 6.67%. After conducting multivariate analyses - logistic regression, risk factors which related to work-related asthma, were body mass index (OR : 26.625, 95% CI : 4.198 - 168.846, with p < 0.001), atopic historical (OR : 14.250, 95% CI : 2.685 - 75.620, with p < 0.002), nose problem (OR : 5.714, 95% CI : 1.779 -18.356, with p = 0.003) and high dust-exposure (OR : 4.295, 95% CI : 1.195 - 15.439 with p = 0.026). The study concluded that body mass index, allergic historical and high dust-exposure might play significant role, in work-related asthma.