Cold-related pain in the face, upper limbs, and lower body among Thai chicken industry workers: a cross-sectional study.

OBJECTIVE: There is limited information on cold-related pain (CRP) in various parts of the body among workers employed in cold environments. We, therefore, determined the prevalence of CRP among Thai chicken industry workers and attempted to identify vulnerable subgroups. METHODS: Four hundred and twenty-two workers in four chicken meat factories in Thailand were asked about CRP in the face, upper limbs, and lower body. The results were expressed as adjusted prevalence and prevalence differences [PD; in percentage points (pp)] and their 95% confidence intervals (CI). RESULTS: Overall, 80% of the subjects suffered from CRP in at least one site on the body: 66% in the upper limbs, 65% in the lower body, and 44% in the face. In most sites, CRP increased from the lowest to the highest educational level, notably in the nose with a PD of 36 pp [95% CI 23, 49]. Forklift drivers experienced knee pain [PD 21 pp (0, 41)], and manufacturing [PD 27 pp (15, 38)] and storage workers [PD 24 pp (10, 37)] experienced thigh pain more often than office workers, while office workers reported CRP in the cheeks, ears, wrists, and fingers more often than other workers. Women had more CRP than men in several body sites. CONCLUSIONS: The majority of workers suffered from CRP. Intensified protective measures should be targeted not only for forklift drivers and storage and manufacturing workers, but also for the highly educated as well as the office staff who showed excessive prevalence of CRP in several body sites.

Cold-related symptoms and performance degradation among Thai poultry industry workers with reference to vulnerable groups: a cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND: Few studies have examined cold-related symptoms among cold workplace workers in Thailand. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of cold-related cardiorespiratory, circulatory, and general symptoms and performance degradation among Thai chicken industry workers and identify vulnerable groups. METHODS: Overall, 422 workers aged from 18 to 57 years at four chicken meat factories in Thailand were interviewed for cold-related symptoms and complaints. The results were expressed in terms of model-based adjusted prevalence and prevalence differences (PDs) in percentage points (pp) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs). RESULTS: In total, 76.1% of the respondents reported cold-related respiratory symptoms, 24.6% reported cardiac symptoms, 68.6% reported circulatory symptoms, and 72.1% reported general symptoms. In addition, 82.7% of the respondents reported performance degradation. Cold-related respiratory symptoms increased by PD 29.0 pp. (95% CI 23.4-34.6) from the lowest to the highest educational group, with a similar pattern observed in performance degradation. Forklift drivers and storage and manufacturing workers complained of cold-related respiratory symptoms more than office staff (PD 22.1 pp., 95% CI 12.8-31.3; 12.0 pp., 95% CI 2.4-21.6; and 17.5 pp., 95% CI 11.5-23.6, respectively); they also reported more performance degradation (PD 24.1 pp., 95% CI 17.0-31.2; 19.8 pp., 95% CI 14.1-25.6; and 14.8 pp., 95% CI 8.0-22.6, respectively). Weekly alcohol consumers reported more performance problems owing to cold (PD 18.2 pp., 95% CI 13.9-22.6) than non-consumers of alcohol. Cardiac and circulation symptoms were more common in women than men (PD 10.0 pp., 95% CI 1.1-18.9; and 8.4 pp., 95% CI 0.5-16.4, respectively). The age trend in performance issues was curved, with the highest prevalence among those aged 35-44 years, while the oldest workers (45-57 years) perceived less cold-related symptoms, particularly thirst. CONCLUSIONS: Cold-related symptoms and performance degradation were found to be common in this industry, with vulnerable groups comprising of highly educated workers, forklift drivers, storage and manufacturing workers, weekly alcohol consumers, aging workers, and women. The results demonstrate a need for further research on the adequacy of protection provided against the cold, particularly given that global warming will increase the contrast between cold workplaces and outdoor heat.

Prevalence of cold-related symptoms among Thai chicken meat industry workers: association with workplace temperature and thermal insulation of clothing.

This study determined the association of cold-related symptoms with workplace temperature and thermal insulation of clothing among Thai chicken industry workers. Three hundred workers were interviewed regarding cold-related symptoms, which were regressed on worksite temperature and protective clothing. In total, 80% of workers reported respiratory symptoms; 23%, cardiac symptoms; 62%, circulation disturbances; 42%, thirst; 56%, drying of the mouth; and 82%, degradation of their performance. When adjusted for personal characteristics, respiratory symptoms were 1.1‒2.2 times more prevalent at -22‒10°C than at 10‒23°C. At -22‒10°C, cardiac symptoms increased by 45%, chest pain by 91%, peripheral circulation disturbances by 25%, and drying of the mouth by 57%. Wearing protective clothing with at least 1.1 clo units was associated with marked reductions in symptom prevalence. Therefore, temperatures lower than 10°C increased prevalence of cold-related symptoms, which are largely preventable by appropriate clothing use.