Adjusted OR† for respiratory symptoms among all exposed workers, male applicators, and male and female re-entry farm workers by estimated cumulative pesticide exposure
| Respiratory symptoms | Chronic cough | Chronic Phlegm | Wheeze | Shortness of breath |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| OR (95% CI) | OR (95% CI) | OR (95% CI) | OR (95% CI) | |
| First survey | ||||
| Pesticide exposure | ||||
| Unexposed (n=497) | 1.00 | 1.00 | 1.00 | 1.00 |
| Exposed (n=588) | 3.15** (1.56 to 6.36) | 2.02 (0.58 to 7.01) | 3.16 (0.96 to 10.47) | 6.67*** (2.60 to 17.58) |
| Male applicators | ||||
| Unexposed (n=250) | 1.00 | – | – | 1.00 |
| <Median (n=126) | 6.16* (1.24 to 32.89) | – | – | 22.38** (3.86 to 129.47) |
| ≥Median (n=124) | 8.14* (1.59 to 41.42) | – | – | 12.95** (2.54 to 65.86) |
| Female re-entry workers | ||||
| Unexposed (n=247) | 1.00 | 1.00 | 1.00 | 1.00 |
| <Median (n=132) | 1.54 (0.46 to 5.18) | 1.42 (0.22 to 9.25) | 1.16 (0.17 to 7.58) | 2.12 (0.41 to 10.85) |
| ≥Median (n=138) | 3.02* (1.06 to 8.58) | 0.57 (0.06 to 6.00) | 1.96 (0.39 to 9.77) | 7.86** (2.10 to 29.45) |
| Male re-entry workers | ||||
| Unexposed (n=250) | 1.00 | – | – | – |
| <Median (n=35) | 10.16* (1.20 to 85.89) | – | – | – |
| ≥Median (n=33) | 21.24** (3.78 to 119.16) | – | – | – |
| Second survey | ||||
| Pesticide exposure | ||||
| Unexposed (n=177) | 1.00 | 1.00 | 1.00 | 1.00 |
| Exposed (n=205) | 5.76** (1.90 to 17.42) | 2.98 (0.76 to 11.58) | 1.75 (0.81 to 3.78) | 4.09*** (2.12 to 7.90) |
| Male applicators | ||||
| Unexposed (n=112) | 1.00 | 1.00 | 1.00 | 1.00 |
| <Median (n=71) | 6.69* (1.03 to 43.48) | 4.80 (0.61 to 38.13) | 1.97 (0.48 to 8.01) | 2.61 (0.88 to 7.69) |
| ≥Median (n=71) | 13.15** (2.90 to 59.53) | 4.67 (0.88 to 24.73) | 4.65* (1.55 to 13.91) | 6.62*** (2.09 to 16.94) |
| Female re-entry workers | ||||
| Unexposed (n=65) | 1.00 | 1.00 | 1.00 | 1.00 |
| <Median (n=31) | 6.90 (0.70 to 67.70) | 0.98 (0.04 to 026.29) | 1.05 (0.19 to 5.72) | 6.23* (1.50 to 25.73) |
| ≥Median (n=31) | 3.00 (0.31 to 29.00) | to | 0.68 (0.11 to 4.22) | 6.51** (1.70 to 24.82) |
(–) No estimated OR because of uncertainty in maximum likelihood as a result of small number of observations.
*p<0.05, **p<0.01, ***p<0.001; in bold.
†The ORs were adjusted for gender (where relevant), age, smoking status, history of pneumonia, income, and marital and khat chewing status.