The Prevalence and Associated Factors of Suspected Occupational Respiratory Disease Among Construction Workers in Construction Industry in Selangor, Melaka and Pahang State: Secondary Data Analysis of Registry for Occupational Disease Screening (Rods) Database 2023

Abstract

Abstract Background: Construction workers who are exposed to hazardous at the construction site expose to the risk of developing occupational respiratory disorder (ORD). Numerous studies have examined the effects of Occupational Respiratory Disease (ORD), which have become a global issue because they are thought to be a significant cause of morbidity and mortality. However, important data on the prevalence and associated factors of occupational respiratory disease among Malaysian construction workers due to occupational hazard exposure are insufficient. By examining the prevalence and risk factors for suspected ORD among employees in the construction workers in three states of Peninsular Malaysia, this study seeks to close this gap. Methods: An analytical cross-sectional study was conducted using secondary data from the Registry for Occupational Disease Screening (RODS) Database 2023, involving construction workers. Suspected ORD was defined as the presence of at least one symptom from the British Medical Research Council (BMRC)questionnaire, plus at least one of the work-relatedness domains. The association between individual factors, occupational factors and organizational factors was investigated using descriptive analysis and logistic regression. Results: The study findings revealed that the prevalence of suspected ORD was 12.1 (95% CI: 9.5-15.8)N=412. Regarding educational level, workers with non-tertiary education had a higher likelihood of suspected ORD compared to those with tertiary education (Adjusted Odds Ratio (AOR): 0.29, 95% Confidence interval [CI]: 0.94-0.88, p < 0.05). Individuals with any comorbidity exhibited a significantly greater likelihood of suspected ORD compared to those without comorbidities (AOR: 3.68, 95% CI: 1.14-11.9, p <0.05). Not using PPE N95 were associated with higher odds of suspected ORD (AOR: 9.35, 95% CI: 1.04-84.3, p < 0.05). Similarly, working in dust environment was significantly associated with a higher likelihood of suspected ORD (AOR: 4.93, 95% CI: 1.21-20.1, p < 0.05). Conclusion: The findings indicate that occupational health management and interventions should consider educational level, comorbidities, usage of PPE (N95), and dust exposed in the workplace. Further study utilising complete diagnostic examination is required, however, to corroborate these findings and establish causal links. These findings will also help to create effective preventive measures and intervention techniques to reduce the negative impact of ORD on worker health.