Comparison of Pulmonary Function Tests among Females and Males Working at Construction Sites Goel Neera1,*, Yadav Niraj2, Singh PN3 1Professor, Dept. of Physiology, G S Medical College & Hospital, Hapur 2Assistant Professor, Dept. of Community Medicine, G S Medical College & Hospital, Hapur 3Professor& Head, Dept. of Physiology, G S Medical College & Hospital, Hapur *Corresponding Author: Neera Goel, House Number-31, Sector-6, Chiranjeev Vihar, Post Office Kavi Nagar, Ghaziabad. 201002, e-mail: neera.goel15@gmail.com
Online published on 21 November, 2019. Abstract Gender related differences in respiratory disorders have been documented. Respiratory disorder are seen in exposure to various types of occupational health hazards such as gases, fumes, inorganic and organic dusts which have risk factors in developing occupational lung diseases. Workers engaged in building and construction work are at risk of developing impaired lung function due to exposure to high level of dust generated at the construction site. Aim The aim of the study is to assess the gender related differences in pulmonary function test due to exposure at construction site to dust particle. Materials and Method The pulmonary function test was studied in 110 female construction workers and 110 male construction workers. The subjects were matched for age, height and weight. The Forced Vital Capacity (FVC) measured by simple spirometer and Peak Expiratory Flow Rate (PEFR) by Wright, peak flow meter and results were compared by Student's unpaired t test. Results the pulmonary function tests show significant decrease in observed FVC in female and male workers in group 3, 4 & 5, and %FVC in female worker in group 4 & 5 while in male worker in group 3, 4 & 5. Significant decrease in PEFR in construction workers (female in group 4, 5, and in male 2, 3, 4, 5) in % PEFR in construction workers (female in group 3, 4, 5and male in group 2, 3 4, 5). Obstructive type of lung impairment was seen in female construction worker after 9years while in male worker before 9 years and development of restrictive type of lung impairment was observed in female after 15years and in male after 9 years. Conclusion Based on the results of the present study it may be concluded that male construction worker develop early impairment of pulmonary function in comparison to female construction workers. Top Keywords FVC, %FVC, PEFR, %PEFR. Top |