Upper extremities and spinal musculoskeletal disorders and risk factors in students using computers.

OBJECTIVE: To examine the effects of computer usage on the musculoskeletal system discomforts (MSD) of Turkish university students, the possible risk factors and study implications (SI). METHODS: The study comprised a total of 871 students. Demographic information was recorded and the Student Specific Cornell Musculoskeletal Discomfort Questionnaire (SsCMDQ) was used to evaluate musculoskeletal system discomforts. RESULTS: The neck, lower back and upper back areas were determined to be the most affected areas and percentages for SI were 21.6%, 19.3% and 16.3% respectively. Significant differences were found to be daily computer usage time for the lower back, total usage time for the neck, being female and below the age of 21 years (p<0.05) had an increased risk. CONCLUSIONS: The neck, lower back and upper back areas were found to be the most affected areas due to computer usage in university students. Risk factors for MSD were seen to be daily and total computer usage time, female gender and age below 21 years and these were deemed to cause study interference.

Knowledge, attitude and behaviour of boys and parents about circumcision.

AIM: To determine the knowledge, attitude and behaviour of parents and previously circumcised early adolescent boys about circumcision. METHODS: Half of the boys attending the sixth class of the primary school in our city centre and their parents were included in this cross-sectional, descriptive study. Questionnaires were prepared by the authors, which include 38 questions for parents and 25 questions for boys. RESULTS: Sixty-six per cent of the students were circumcised at the age of 7 years and above, 26% between three and 6 years and 8% below 3 years of age. Forty-two per cent of boys were circumcised by a traditional circumciser and 64% were circumcised at home. Main reasons of circumcision for parents were religious purposes (79%) and health issues (51%). When the boys were asked about their thoughts during circumcision, they mostly stated that 'it was necessary to become a man' (58%) and 'it would hurt much' (50%). Thirty-eight per cent of boys were frightened during circumcision and 46% were worried. Boys circumcised in the 7 years and above age group were most content about their age of circumcision. CONCLUSIONS: We consider that it is reasonable to wait up to an age at which the child could understand and participate in the decision of the concept and timing of circumcision.

Work-related injuries in textile industry workers in Turkey.

BACKGROUND: This study was conducted as a survey including work-related injuries (WRI) of workers in the textile and clothing industry admitted to the emergency department (ED). METHODS: This prospective study included patients with WRI reportedly occurring in the textile and clothing industry over a two-year period. The study sample comprised only the casualties occurring at the workplace and while working de facto. RESULTS: A total of 374 patients were eligible for the study. More than three-fourths of the study sample were females (76.2%, n=285). A significant proportion of the patients were between 14 and 24 years of age (44.7%, n=167). Approximately two-thirds reported that this was their first admission to a hospital related to WRI (65.8%, n=246). WRIs occurred most frequently between 07:00-09:00 (27.3%) and 23:00-01:00 (17.9%). "Carelessness" and "rushing" were the most commonly reported causes of WRIs from the patients perspective (40.6% and 21.4%, respectively). Three-fourths of the patients reported that they were using protective equipment (74.3%, n=278). With respect to injury types, laceration/puncture/ amputation/avulsion injuries accounted for 55.6% (n=208) of the sample. Trauma to the upper extremities was the main type of injury in 75.1% (n=281) of the cases. CONCLUSION: Broad population-based studies are needed to define the situation as a whole in WRIs in the textile and clothing industry in the country. Strict measures should be undertaken and revised accordingly to prevent WRIs in these growing sectors.

One-year follow-up of penis and testis sizes of healthy Turkish male newborns.

Penile length, penile diameter and testicular volume at birth reflect the activity and normality of the hypothalamus-pituitary-testicular axis. In this prospective longitudinal study, we aimed to measure penis and testicular size in healthy newborns at birth and 6 and 12 months of age. Seven hundred forty-six term healthy male newborns were enrolled in the study. According to measurements taken within 48 hours after birth, mean penile length (MPL) was 2.81 +/- 0.32 cm, mean penile diameter (MPD) 1.04 +/- 0.09 cm, right testicular volume (TV) 1.73 +/- 0.45 ml, and left TV 1.64 +/- 0.48 ml. At 6 months of age, MPL was 3.67 +/- 0.35 cm, MPD 1.23 +/- 0.08 cm, right TV 2.07 +/- 0.31 ml, and left TV 2.00 +/- 0.27 ml. At 12 months of age, MPL was 4.47 +/- 0.43 cm, MPD 1.25 +/- 0.09 cm, right TV 2.01 +/- 0.12 ml, and left TV 2.01 +/- 0.13 ml. There was a weak albeit statistically significant correlation between weight, length and PL at birth. In conclusion, the MPL of newborns was shorter than that reported in the published data from other populations. This situation may be related to ethnicity in addition to the lower birth weight and length of our subjects when compared to the newborns in other populations. We observed a significant increase, more marked during the first six months, in MPL, MPD and TV, which can be explained by the hormonal mechanism during minipuberty.

Hospital cost analysis of management of patients with renal colic in the emergency department.

Acute severe colicky pain in the flank region is termed as renal colic (RC), which is commonly diagnosed and treated in the emergency department (ED). The present study is designed to investigate the hospital costs of patients with RC admitted to the ED and factors affecting the figures. Retrospective analysis includes all patients diagnosed with RC following physical examination and X-ray, ultrasound, computed tomography together with laboratory investigations in the university-based ED between February 2007 and February 2009. The study included 574 patients eligible for the predefined criteria. Mean total hospital cost in patients admitted to the ED due to RC was calculated to be 55.77 Euro. The greatest contribution to the total cost was made by radiological investigations in the ED (40.5%) followed by treatment costs (19.7%). Size and location of the stone and stay times in the ED were the independent variables affecting the costs. The costs were higher as the stones were bigger and as they were more distal in the ureter. Renal stones were associated with the lowest hospital costs. Radiological investigations are the greatest contributors in the ED costs in patients with RC. Effective measures need to be undertaken to reduce resultant costs. Preventive measures as well as diagnostic and therapeutic procedures should be standardized in the ED in accordance with technological advances and also cost-effectiveness when appropriate.

The Prevalence and Comorbidity Rates of ADHD Among School-Age Children in Turkey.

Objective: The aim of the present study was to explore the prevalence and comorbidity rates of ADHD in a community sample of school-age children. Method: Participants were 1,508 children aged 6 to 14 years. Parents and teachers of each child completed the Turgay Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (4th ed.; DSM-IV) Disruptive Behavior Disorders Rating Scale (T-DSM-IV-S). Screen-positive cases were interviewed using the Schedule for Affective Disorders and Schizophrenia for School-Age Children-Present and Lifetime Version (K-SADS-PL). Diagnoses were based on DSM-IV criteria. Results: The prevalence rate of ADHD was 8%. Children from extended families had extremely high rates (46.4%) of ADHD. Sixty percent of children with ADHD had one or more comorbid diagnoses. The most common comorbidities were learning disorders (35.7%) and oppositional defiant disorder (22.6%). Conclusion: The prevalence and comorbidity rates of ADHD in school-age children in Turkey are similar to those found in previous studies in other countries.

Factors affecting onset of puberty in Denizli province in Turkey.

The relationship between the possible factors affecting pubertal onset and pubertal timing was investigated in the Denizli province in Turkey. A total number of 3311 subjects (1562 girls, 1749 boys) aged 6-16.5 years participated in this study. Body mass index (BMI) was calculated. Pubertal stages were assessed according to methods of Marshall and Tanner. Testicular volume was determined using Prader orchidometer. Menarcheal age was recorded. All parents and students completed different questionnaires on demographic variables affecting pubertal timing such as socioeconomic conditions, psychosocial factors, exercise, nutritional status, chronic diseases, migration and birth weight. Using distribution percentiles of pubertal stages according to age, the relation between pubertal timing and factors affecting puberty was investigated. There was no significant association between exercise, birth weight, migration, chronic disease, and socioeconomic status and age of puberty onset. Menarcheal age of overweight and obese girls was significantly lower than that of girls with normal weight. In-family stress was the cause of early puberty in girls and of delayed puberty in boys.

Adaptation of the Turkish version of Nurses' Self Concept Questionnaire.

OBJECTIVES: Nurse's self-concept is significant for professionalism. We aimed to determine the reliability and validity of the Turkish version of a Nurses' Self Concept Questionnaire. METHODS: A methodological study was conducted with the participation of a group of nursing students and nurses. For the statistical analysis, structural equation models, convergent validity analyses, discriminate validity analyses, internal consistency analysis, and test-retest reliability analyses were used. RESULTS: Correlation-coefficient for the test-retest reliability of the Turkish version of Nurses' Self-Concept Questionnaire was 0.87. The internal consistency of this questionnaire was calculated with Cronbach's α coefficient and it was found high across the six subscales from 0.83 to 0.91. The goodness of fit indices was determined as acceptable. CONCLUSIONS: According to results, this Nurses' Self-Concept Questionnaire is a valid and reliable instrument for assessing nurses' and nursing students' self-concept in Turkey.

Pubertal development of Turkish children.

AIM: To investigate the pubertal development of Turkish school children, to look for possible secular trends in pubertal development. METHODS: 1,562 girls and 1,749 boys (aged 6-16.5 years) from urban and rural schools were studied. Weight and height were measured and body mass index was calculated. Pubertal stages were assessed according to Tanner. Testicular volume was determined using an orchidometer. Menarcheal age was recorded. RESULTS: In girls, mean ages at breast stage (B) were 7.74 +/- 1.08 years for B1, 10.16 +/- 0.97 for B2, 11.72 +/- 1.29 for B3, 12.97 +/- 1.17 for B4, and 13.66 +/- 0.89 for B5. Mean ages at pubic hair stage (PH) were 8.72 +/- 1.50 years for PH1, 10.57 +/- 1.39 for PH2, 12.12 +/- 1.10 for PH3, 13.10 +/- 1.04 for PH4, and 13.87 +/- 0.83 for PH5. Mean age at menarche was 12.41 years. Menarcheal age was earlier in overweight and obese children compared with that in normal children. In boys, mean ages at each maturity stage according to testis volume (G) were 8.70 +/- 1.38 years for G1, 11.76 +/- 1.28 for G2, 12.81 +/- 1.0 for G3, 13.17 +/- 0.87 for G4, and 13.87 +/- 0.98 for G5. Mean ages at PH in boys were 9.39 +/- 1.81 years for PH1, 12.02 +/- 1.33 for PH2, 13.05 +/- 0.88 for PH3, 13.42 +/- 0.87 for PH4, and 14.02 +/- 0.92 for PH5. CONCLUSIONS: The current study provides an up-to-date reference of normal sexual maturation of Turkish children. While the mean age at onset of puberty in boys was comparable to that of other populations in the world, girls were found to start pubertal development earlier than in other populations.

Epidemiology of atopic dermatitis in primary schoolchildren in Turkey.

The present study aimed to investigate the prevalence of atopic dermatitis in primary schoolchildren in Denizli, Turkey, and to determine the possible risk factors for atopic dermatitis in home environment. A self-administered questionnaire was handled to the parents of 2,100 children aged 7 to 15 years, from three randomized primary schools and 1,644 (78.9%) completed and returned the questionnaire. The questionnaire included the United Kingdom Working Party diagnostic criteria and asked about conditions that could affect the course of atopic dermatitis. The prevalence of atopic dermatitis and coexisting factors that may affect the course of the disease were evaluated in 1,644 children (825 girls and 819 boys). The prevalence of atopic dermatitis was detected as 4.9%. Passive smoking, heating systems either in the house or in the child's bedroom, and the number of people living in the house had no significant effect (p > 0.005). The difference in prevalence of atopic dermatitis between developed and developing countries is striking. The determination of the factors that have an influence in this issue will probably enable us to change the course and frequency of atopic dermatitis.

Prevalence and risk factors for allergic rhinitis in primary school children.

OBJECTIVE: Allergic rhinitis is a common chronic illness of childhood. The aim of the study was to evaluate the prevalence and risk factors of allergic rhinitis in 6-12-year-old schoolchildren in Istanbul. METHODS: A total of 2500 children aged between 6 and 12 years in randomly selected six primary schools of Istanbul were surveyed by using the International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Childhood (ISAAC) questionnaire between April and May 2004. RESULTS: Of them 2387 (1185 M/1202 F) questionnaires were appropriately completed by the parents with an overall response of 95.4%. The prevalence of physician-diagnosed allergic rhinitis was 7.9% (n=189). A family history of atopy (aOR=1.30, 95% CI=1.00-1.68), frequent respiratory tract infection (aOR=1.36, 95% CI=1.08-1.70) and sinusitis (aOR=2.29, 95% CI=1.64-3.19), antibiotic use in the first year of life (aOR=1.26, 95% CI=1.01-1.57), cat at home in the first year of life (aOR=2.21, 95% CI=1.36-3.61), dampness at home (aOR=1.31, 95% CI=1.04-1.65) and perianal redness (aOR=1.26, 95% CI=1.01-1.57) were significant for increased risk for allergic rhinitis. Frequent consumption of fruits and vegetables were inversely, and frequent consumption of lollipops and candies were positively associated with allergic rhinitis symptoms. CONCLUSION: Our study reconfirmed that family history of atopy, frequent respiratory tract infections, antibiotics given in the first year of life, cat at home in the first year of life, dampness at home, perianal redness and dietary habits are important independent risk factors for AR. Researchers worldwide should be focused to these factors and try to develop policies for early intervention, primary and secondary preventions for allergic diseases.

Safety awareness among laboratory workers.

The purpose of this study was to assess safety awareness among laboratory personnel. The research group, which consisted of 84 subjects (88.4% of 95 persons contacted), completed a questionnaire. Of the study population, 55.9% were male and 44.1% were female. On the subject of how to receive samples, 70.2% of the study group knew the correct answer. In all, 90.5% and 79.8%, respectively, knew what procedures should be followed after injuries or accidents occurred in the laboratory. The lowest number of correct responses on the questionnaire was associated with the topic of waste disposal. Results of this study show that laboratory personnel would benefit greatly from educational initiatives designed to promote laboratory safety.

Childhood asthma and its relationship with tonsillar tissue.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of asthma among 4-17 years old school children and to determine the relationship between frequent tonsillitis, tonsillar hypertrophy and asthma-related symptoms. A total of 2,000 school children, aged 4-17 years, in Denizli were surveyed using the ISAAC questionnaire; the size of the tonsils was evaluated by physical examination. A total of 1,784 questionnaires were completed giving an overall response rate of 89.2%. The prevalence of lifetime wheezing, 12-month wheezing and lifetime doctor-diagnosed asthma were 16.4%, 6.2% and 1.7%, respectively. The prevalence of frequent tonsillitis and tonsillar hypertrophy were 19.9% and 3.4%, respectively. Tonsillar hypertrophy was positively correlated with a history of frequent tonsillitis. Frequent tonsillitis and tonsillar hypertrophy could be evaluated as risk factors for asthma due to their significant association with asthma-related symptoms.

Adolescent pregnancy in West Turkey. Cross sectional survey of married adolescents.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this research was to determine both the fertility characteristics of married adolescent women in Denizli province center and the adolescent pregnancy rate and also some factors that could occur with adolescent pregnancy. METHODS: This cross-sectional study was conducted in the Denizli province center in the year 2001. According to the Turkish Demographic Health Survey 1998 statistics, the percentage of married adolescents between 15-19 years of age who have begun to give birth is 9.3-10.2%. The sample size of 3471 was determined using Epi Info software. To reach this sample size, 5 of the 25 health clinics in Denizli province center were chosen by simple random sampling method. RESULTS: Approximately 6.4% of the adolescents were married, 4.9% had been pregnant as an adolescent, 4.8% had delivered a baby, 23.3% of the married adolescents had never been pregnant, 23.3% were pregnant with their first child, and 51.2% were mothers; 76.7% had been pregnant one or more times. The majority of the married adolescent women in the research group (57.2%) do not use any method of family planning, followed by 15.7% who use an intrauterine device. Age, lower degree of education (less than 8 years) and unemployment were identified as risk factors for adolescent pregnancy. CONCLUSION: The results of this study suggest that although the frequency of adolescent pregnancy in the region is lower than the mean value in Turkey, it is higher compared with other countries. Age, education <8 years and unemployment are risk factors for adolescent pregnancy.

Analysis of Community Participation Levels of Individuals Who Are Physically Disabled and Working in Industrial Environments.

The purpose of this study was to determine quality of life, leisure time satisfaction, activity performance, and community participation and analyze the relationship between these determinants and community participation in both physically disabled individuals working in industrial environments and nonworking individuals who are physically disabled. Sociodemographic data was registered into a sociodemographic form. World Health Organization Disability Assessment Schedule 2.0 was used to assess community participation. Activity performance was evaluated with Canadian Occupational Performance Measure. Leisure Satisfaction Scale was used to determine leisure time satisfaction. Short Form-36 was used for evaluating quality of life. When the participants were compared in terms of working status, a significant difference according to their WHO-DAS-II total scores were found (p < 0.05). When all participants were compared in terms of activity performance, lesisure time satisfaction, quality of life a significant differences according to their WHO-DAS-II total scores were found (p>0.05). This study shows that community participation was affected by working status, disability level, activity performance, leisure time satisfaction and quality of life. In this regard, occupational therapy and physiotherapy approaches were found necessary for developing community participation. We conclude that this study's results can be used as a guide for community participation in disabled people in community based rehabilitation politics.

Compliance with hand hygiene and glove use in a university-affiliated hospital.

OBJECTIVE: The hands of healthcare workers often transmit pathogens causing nosocomial infections. This study examined compliance with handwashing and glove use. SETTING: A university-affiliated hospital. DESIGN: Compliance was observed covertly. Healthcare workers' demographics, hand hygiene facilities, indications for hand hygiene, compliance with handwashing and glove use in each procedure, and duration of handwashing were recorded. RESULTS: Nine nurses and 33 assistant physicians were monitored during the study. One researcher recorded 1400 potential opportunities for handwashing during 15-minute observation periods. The mean duration of handwashing was 10 +/- 2 seconds. Most healthcare workers (99.3%) used liquid soap during handwashing, but 79.8% did not dry their hands. For all indications, compliance with handwashing was 31.9% and compliance with glove use was 58.8%. Compliance with handwashing varied inversely with both the number of indications for hand hygiene and the number of patient beds in the hospital room. Compliance with handwashing was better in dirty high-risk situations. CONCLUSION: Compliance with handwashing was low, suggesting the need for new motivational strategies such as supplying feedback regarding compliance rates

[The prevalence of snoring in adult population]. / Eriskin nüfusta horlama yayginligi.

OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to investigate the prevalence of habitual snoring in adult population and the relationship between habitual snoring and accompanying factors. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A cross-sectional, epidemiological study was conducted to evaluate snoring and accompanying factors. Data of 1245 persons (629 females, 616 males; mean age 45.0+/-12.2) were evaluated. A questionnaire was administered to draw information on their sociodemographic data, the incidence of snoring, the presence of witnessed apnea during sleep, the severity of snoring and its changes depending on the body position, their willingness to receive treatment for snoring, the presence of alcohol or cigarette consumption, and hypertension and coronary disease. Height and weight measurements were performed to calculate body mass index. The results were evaluated using the chi-square test and a multiple regression analysis. RESULTS: The prevalence of habitual snoring was 8.9% in females and 29.5% in males. Multivariate analyses showed that male sex, age over 40 years, obesity, smoking, and the use of alcohol were significant risk factors for habitual snoring. Hypertension and coronary heart disease were statistically more common in individuals with habitual snoring. The severity of snoring was high enough in 2.1% of females and in 9.4% of males to force their roommates to leave the room, making 1.1% of females and 3.4% of males to show willingness to receive medical attention. CONCLUSION: Habitual snoring is a frequent complaint in our country. Inquiry into the presence of habitual snoring is necessary in adults and patients should be subjected to a detailed examination for respiratory disorders during sleep.

Nosocomial infections in intensive care unit in a Turkish university hospital: a 2-year survey.

OBJECTIVE: To determine epidemiology and risk factors for nosocomial infections in intensive care unit (ICU). DESIGN. Prospective incidence survey. SETTING: An adult general ICU in a university hospital in western Turkey. PATIENTS: All patients who stayed more than 48 h in ICU during a 2-year period (2000-2001). MEASUREMENTS AND RESULTS: The study included 434 patients (7394 patient-days). A total of 225 infections were identified in 113 patients (26%). The incidence and infection rates were 56.8 in 1000-patient days and 51.8%, respectively. The infections were pneumonia (40.9%), bloodstream (30.2%), urinary tract (23.6%) and surgical site infections (5.3%). Pseudomonas aeruginosa (22.6%), methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (22.2%) and Acinetobacter spp. (11.9%) were frequently isolated micro-organisms. Median length of stay with nosocomial infection and without were 13 days (Interquartile range, IQR, 20) and 2 days (IQR, 2), respectively ( P<0.0001). In logistic regression analysis, mechanical ventilation [odds ratio (OR): 16.35; 95% confidence interval (CI): 8.26-32.34; P<0.0001), coma (OR: 15.04; 95% CI: 3.41-66.33; P=0.0003), trauma (OR: 10.27; 95% CI: 2.34-45.01; P=0.002), nasogastric tube (OR: 2.94; 95% CI: 1.47-5.90; P=0.002), tracheotomy (OR: 5.77; 95% CI: 1.10-30.20; P=0.04) and APACHE II scores 10-19 (OR: 10.80; 95% CI: 1.10-106.01; P=0.04) were found to be significant risk factors for nosocomial infection. Rate of nosocomial infection increased with the number of risk factors (P<0.0001). Mortality rates were higher in infected patients than in non-infected patients (60.9 vs 22.1%; P<0.0001). CONCLUSION: These data suggest that, in addition to underlying clinical conditions, some invasive procedures can be independent risk factors for nosocomial infection in ICU.

Costs and risk factors for ventilator-associated pneumonia in a Turkish university hospital's intensive care unit: a case-control study.

BACKGROUND: Ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) which is an important part of all nosocomial infections in intensive care unit (ICU) is a serious illness with substantial morbidity and mortality, and increases costs of hospital care. We aimed to evaluate costs and risk factors for VAP in adult ICU. METHODS: This is a-three year retrospective case-control study. The data were collected between 01 January 2000 and 31 December 2002. During the study period, 132 patients were diagnosed as nosocomial pneumonia of 731 adult medical-surgical ICU patients. Of these only 37 VAP patients were assessed, and multiple nosocomially infected patients were excluded from the study. Sixty non-infected ICU patients were chosen as control patients. RESULTS: Median length of stay in ICU in patients with VAP and without were 8.0 (IQR: 6.5) and 2.5 (IQR: 2.0) days respectively (P < 0.0001). Respiratory failure (OR, 11.8; 95%, CI, 2.2-62.5; P < 0.004), coma in admission (Glasgow coma scale < 9) (OR, 17.2; 95% CI, 2.7-107.7; P < 0.002), depressed consciousness (OR, 8.8; 95% CI, 2.9-62.5; P < 0.02), enteral feeding (OR, 5.3; 95% CI, 1.0-27.3; P = 0.044) and length of stay (OR, 1.3; 95% CI, 1.0-1.7; P < 0.04) were found as important risk factors. Most commonly isolated microorganism was methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus (30.4%). Mortality rates were higher in patients with VAP (70.3%) than the control patients (35.5%) (P < 0.003). Mean cost of patients with and without VAP were 2832.2+/-1329.0 and 868.5+/-428.0 US Dollars respectively (P < 0.0001). CONCLUSION: Respiratory failure, coma, depressed consciousness, enteral feeding and length of stay are independent risk factors for developing VAP. The cost of VAP is approximately five-fold higher than non-infected patients.

Respiratory effects of chronic animal feed dust exposure.

AIM: The aim of our study was to assess the prevalence of chronic work related respiratory symptoms and to determine lung function abnormalities in animal feed industry workers. METHOD: 108 workers with a mean age of +/- SD: 32 +/- 7.11 yr employed in the animal feed industry and 108 unexposed subjects as a control group were enrolled in the study. All subjects filled out a questionnaire on their respiratory symptoms. Pulmonary function tests (PFTs) were conducted. Airborne dust (respirable fraction) was sampled during an 8-h work shift. Dust sampling was performed with a Casella AFC 123 machine. RESULTS: A significantly higher prevalence of work related upper and lower respiratory tract symptoms such as cough (12%), dyspnea (5.6%) and sinusitis (8.3%) were found among the workers than in the control group (p=0.001, p=0.04 and p=0.008 respectively). Irritation symptoms such as pruritus of the eyes (11.1%), skin lesions (7.4%) and nose symptoms (8.3%) were also significantly higher among workers that in the control group (p=0.001, p=0.014 and p=0.005 respectively). The mean PFTs (predicted %) of the workers; forced vital capacity (FVC)% +/- SD (85.23 +/- 12.06), 1-s forced expiratory volume (FEV1)% +/- SD (88.73 +/- 13.09), peak expiratory flow (PEF)% +/- SD (70.64 +/- 18.76) and forced expiratory flow rate at 25-75% of the FVC (FEF25-75)% +/- SD (88.42 +/- 25.94) were found significantly lower than in the control group (p<0.0001, p<0.0001, p<0.0001, p<0.0001 respectively). Our data indicate that exposure to animal feed dust is an important factor in the occurrence of respiratory symptoms and decline in lung functions.