Síntomas respiratorios en población adulta residente en zonas aledañas a la fábrica de cemento Guapán. Cuenca. 2016

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Environmental pollution produced by industries is a current problem in public health. In a study aimed at workers in a cement industry in Mashhad, Iran, it was found that the exposed group had significantly lower forced expiratory flow and respiratory symptoms such as cough and expectoration, 6% and 7%, respectively. 0.8% in the unexposed.

OBJECTIVE: To determine respiratory symptoms in an adult population living in areas surrounding the "Guapán" cement factory.

METHODOLOGICAL DESIGN: A cross-sectional descriptive study, aimed at the population close to the Cement Guapán factory. The sample was 290 people. Data were collected through a survey conducted by the authors, previously validated. For statistical analysis we used Microsoft Excel 2010 and SPSS v22. The information was presented in simple tables, using statistical measures such as frequencies and percentages.

RESULTS: 46.9% of cases were between 40-44 years old. 85.9% of respondents lived in the area for a long time. 46.6% of cases presented cough, 41.4%: expectoration, 12.8%: wheezing and 32.1%: dyspnea. Symptoms generally occurred for a period of 2 to 12 months, more frequent in cold climates.

CONCLUSIONS: The most common symptom found in this study was cough with more than 40%, presenting for a time less than 1 month, associated with influenza pictures, at different times of the day.