The role of socio-hygienic factors in the occurrence of respiratory diseases in female garment workers

The incidence of nonspecific respiratory diseases among female workers of a sewing firm was studied. The certificates of incapacity for work for 6 years and medical cards of the outpatient were analyzed. Based on objective information, verified diagnoses, a group of women suffering from chronic nonspecific lung diseases was singled out. Healthy, fully able-bodied persons without chronic diseases were selected as a control group by the copy-pair method. In order to reveal the role of socio-hygienic factors in the origin of respiratory diseases, particularly of chronic nonspecific lung diseases, and to work out measures for their prevention we questioned 1113 female workers according to a questionnaire which was proposed by the All-Russian Institute of Pulmonology under the USSR Ministry of Health and adjusted to specific conditions of production and everyday life. The questionnaire consisted of 30 questions describing housing and living conditions, work and rest conditions, bad habits, etc. Men did not participate in the survey, as their share in the total number of employees at the firm was not more than 10%. The survey materials were supplemented by objective data of the city sanitary and epidemiological station on the study of the working environment.