Table II.
Self-reported medical history and airway symptoms among dental healthcare workers in South Africa
| Characteristics | Prevalence (%) (N=454) |
|---|---|
| Past medical history | |
| - Recent chest infections | 93 (20%) |
| - Pneumonia | 31 (7%) |
| - Tuberculosis | 10 (2%) |
| - Chronic bronchitis | 5 (1%) |
| Family history of allergy | |
| - Hay fever | 95 (21%) |
| - Asthma | 84 (19%) |
| - Eczema | 58 (13%) |
| Upper airway symptoms | |
| - Ocular-nasal symptoms | 137 (30%) |
| - Work-related ocular-nasal symptoms | 65 (14%) |
| Asthma history and symptoms | |
| Doctor-diagnosed asthma (self reported) | 56 (12%) |
| - Before 17 years | 36 (8%) |
| - After 17 years | 20 (4%) |
| Current use of asthma medication | 25 (6%) |
| Asthma-related symptoms (in the last 12 months) | 135 (30%) |
| Work-related asthma symptom experience | |
| - Tight chest or wheezing when at work | 17 (4%) |
| - Tight chest or wheezing after peak exposures | 83 (18%) |
| - Job change due to work-related chest symptoms | 7 (2%) |
| - Improvement after changing jobs | 6 (1%) |
| Symptoms associated with work-related latex exposure | |
| - Ocular (itchy eyes) | 48 (11%) |
| - Nasal (runny or blocked nose) | 46 (10%) |
| - Chest (cough, wheeze, difficulty breathing) | 33 (7%) |