Study on Respiratory Disturbances Caused in Farm Work

VernacularTitle:農作業に起因する呼吸器障害 (農夫肺等) に関する研究
Author: Koji Isomura
Publication Type:Journal Article
From:Journal of the Japanese Association of Rural Medicine 1976;25(4):565-572
CountryJapan
Language:Japanese
Abstract: A total village health control program has been instituted in Yachiho Village (pop. 5, 211, 1975National Census) since1959.
When the deaths caused by respiratory diseases in this village are compared between the first eight years under the health control program (1960-67) and the second eight years (1968-75), the deaths caused by lung tuberculosis decreased by67% and those by pneumonia and bronchitis dropped by52%. On the other hand, there have been no drops in the deaths caused by pulmonary emphysema and bronchial asthma, and their ratios are higher than the national averages.
The prevalence of bronchial asthma among inhabitants of Yachiho Village stands at0.9% among males and1.2% among females, and these percentages are practically the same as the national averages. On the other hand, the prevalence of chronic bronchitis is9.8% among males and5.7% among females, and these ratios are lower than in air-polluted urban areas but higher than in nonpolluted cities.
A wide variety of farm work-particularly, rice threshing and hulling-greatly infuences the incidence and course of chronic bronchitis. It is therefore important to implement measures for the prevention of chronic bronchitis and pulmonary emphysema.