[Assessment of effect of shift work on blood pressure in workers of a rubber manufacturing company]

Various factors such as occupational and environmental risk factors affect blood pressure. Nowadays, shift work is a common work schedule. Studies on effect of shift work on hypertension showed different results. We studied the effect of shift work on hypertension and pre-hypertension among workers in a rubber manufacturing company. In a cross-sectional study, 265 workers studied. Workers divided to shift workers and day workers, their systolic and diastolic blood pressure [SBP and DBP] were measured by standard method. Then mean systolic and diastolic blood pressure and prevalence of hypertension and pre-hypertension were compared between two groups. Logistic regression analysis was used to evaluate the correlation between hypertension and shift work. Chi square, t-test and logistic regression were used for statistical analysis. There were no statistically significant differences between groups in the variables of age, BMI, employment duration, smoking and other confounding factors [p>0.05]. The mean values of SBP and DBP and prevalence of pre-hypertension and hypertension was significantly more in shift workers than day workers [p<0.05]. After logistic regression analysis with adjustment of confounding variables, significant correlation between shift work and hypertension was found [p<0.05]. Odds ratio for hypertension in shift workers was 2.86. Our results suggested that shift work can be a risk factor for hypertension and pre-hypertension. Therefore more attention should be paid to shift workers by periodic measurement of blood pressure

Respiratory complaints and spirometric parameters in tile and ceramic factory workers

Respiratory disorders are among the most common occupational diseases. Tile and ceramic industry is quite popular in Iran and workers in this industry are exposed to harmful dust particles affecting their respiratory system. This study was conducted in a tile and ceramic factory. The study group consisted of factory workers of the production units; whereas, the control group included the executive employees of the factory. A questionnaire was designed covering all the required data. There were a total of 411 workers. After considering the exclusion criteria, 243 workers in the study group were compared with 168 controls in terms of their respiratory status. Respiratory complaints were significantly higher in the study group compared to controls [p=0.023]. Frequency of abnormal spirometric findings was significantly higher in the study group [p<0.001]. A significant correlation was found between the occupational exposure to tile and ceramic dust and abnormal spirometric findings after adjusting for age, duration of employment and smoking habits [p<0.05]. Our study results demonstrated that occupational exposure to ceramic and tile dust can harm workers' respiratory system. Therefore, it is recommended to diminish workers' exposure to tile dust by proper implementation of respiratory protection programs. Also, filling out the standard respiratory questionnaire and performing the pulmonary function tests are advised for workers in their periodic examination programs