Evaluation of importance of a medical screening programme applied among an industrial population

ABSTRACT

A screening medical programme was applied among an industrial population [1140] workers in Alexandria during year 1982. A carefully planned questionnaire was designed. It included personal history, occupational history, habits and a detailed past history of chronic diseases which may impair the general efficiency of workers. For each worker, an E.C.G., a spirogram, measurement of blood pressure, an audiogram and an X-ray film were made. Blood analysis for sugar, urea level as well as haemoglobin percent was included. Urine was also analysed for abnormalities. Determination of intra-ocular tension was also added to the previous investigations. Chronic diseases checked-up during this study, were hypertension, rheumatic and coronary heart diseases, DM. and chronic obstructive and restrictive pulmonary diseases with emphasis on tuberculosis. Hepatic and urinary tract diseases as well as anaemia were also included. Cases of deafness and increase of intra-ocular tension were detected too. Results obtained ascertained the necessity of a periodic medical examination for the early detection of non-occupational chronic diseases. As it was found that the percent of cases detected suffering from these diseases was much higher than those giving a positive past history. This periodic medical examination should include everyone in the industry independent of nature of work. The age suggested for such programmes is 40 years and more, except for anaemia, the age is 30 years