The Effect of Toluene Exposure on Central Nervous Disorder Among Printing Workers

Background: The use of toluene in printing dominates the use of metal chemicals. Toluene is used in 75% of printing work activities. Accumulation of toluene concentrations in printing can cause health problems to workers. The purpose of this study was to analyze the effect of toluene exposure on central nervous system disorders in printing industry workers.Subjects and Method: This study was cross-sectional in the printing industry in Medan, North Sumatra. The population consists of 50 people with consecutive sampling technique sampling. Data on subjective symptoms of central nervous system disorders were measured by the German version of the Q18 questionnaire. The data were analyzed using multiple logistic regression tests.Results: Subjective symptoms of central nervous system disorders increased with tenure ≥2 years (OR = 4.19; p = 0.018) and smoking (OR = 8.91; p = 0.001). Subjective symptoms of central nervous system disorders decreased with age ≤30 years (OR = 0.17; p = 0.004), female sex (OR = 0.50; p = 0.002).Conclusions: The most dominant variable affecting the subjective symptoms of central nervous system disorders is the smoking habit variable with a probability value of 0.92 or 92%.Keywords: subjective symptoms, central nervous system disorders, workers, a printing industryCorrespondence: Samuel Marganda. Department of Environmental Health, Faculty of Public Health, Universitas Sumatera Utara, Medan, North Sumatera. Email: [email protected]. Mobile: 085362985340.Indonesian Journal of Medicine (2018), 3(3): 115-123https://doi.org/10.26911/theijmed.2018.03.03.0

Occupational Risk Factors Associated with Perceived Central Nervous System Disorder among Printing Industry Workers In Medan

Background: Toluene is a colorless, water-insoluble liquid, aromatic hydro-carbon, with the smell associated with paint thinners. Toluene is used in the printing of colored illustrations in media such as catalogues and magazines. Studies on male employees in the printing industry found that both high and low exposure to toluene were associated with an imbalance of sexual hormones in serum samples. This study aimed to analyze the occupational risk factors associated with perceived central nervous system disorder attributable to toluene exposure among printing industry workers in Medan, North Sumatera. Subjects and Method: This was a cross sectional study conducted at a printing industry in Medan, North Sumatera. A sample of 50 printing industry workers was selected for this study. The dependent variable was perceived central nervous system disorder attributable to toluene. The independent variables were age, smoking, years of service, history of illness, alcohol consumption, and personal protective equipment (PPE). The data were collected by questionnaire and analyzed by a chi-square test. Results: Perceived central nervous system disorder attributable to toluene exposure was statistically associated with age and smoking, but was not statistically associated with years of service, history of illness, alcohol consumption, and PPE. Conclusion: Perceived central nervous system disorder is statistically associated with age and smoking among printing workers. Keywords: perceived central nervous system disorder, toluene, age, smoking, printing workers

Influence Health Promotion of Personal Protective Equipment to Increase Knowledge About Contact Dermatitis in Citrus Farmers in Cingkes Village Kabupaten Simalungun

Occupational Contact Dermatitis is a skin disorder that is often found in farmers who spray pesticides. Knowledge of the use of personal protective equipment on citrus farmers in Cingkes Village is still low, therefore it is very important to provide health counseling on the use of personal protective equipment on farmers. The purpose of the study was to determine the effect of health promotion about pesticides and the use of personal protective equipment on increasing knowledge about dermatitis in citrus farmers in Cingkes Village, Simalungun Regency. This type of research is quasi-experimental with a one group pre test-post test research design. This research was conducted in Cingkes Village, Simalungun Regency, which was carried out from July to September 2023. The research sampling was carried out by purposive sampling method. The instruments used were questionnaires and standing banners, leaflets and demonstrations on the use of personal protective equipment to improve farmers' knowledge of contact dermatitis.  Data were analyzed using Wilcoxon signed rank test with SPSS version 20 software. The results showed that there is a significant influence of health promotion regarding Personal Protective Equipment on knowledge of contact dermatitis among orange farmers in Cingkes Village, Simalungun Regency (p-value=0.000). To the government and health workers to increase the knowledge of farmers by providing health counseling in order to prevent the occurrence of dermatitis in farmers. to citrus farmer farmers should use gloves, protective clothing, glasses, and masks when working with citrus or chemicals to prevent contact dermatitis. Keywords : Health Promotion, Dermatitis, Farmers, Knowledge, Personal Protective Equipmen

The Effect of Clean Water Facilities and Household Food Sanitation Hygiene on Stunting in Toddlers

Stunting is a linear growth disorder of a child's body that becomes short or short based on height for age with a Z-score threshold of < -2 standard deviations. Multi-dimensional factors, including environmental factors, cause stunting. Environmental factors that cause stunting are the mother's personal hygiene, sanitation, clean water and drinking water sources. This study aimed to determine the effect of clean water sanitation facilities and household food sanitation hygiene on stunting in toddlers. Observational study with a case-control design in children aged 0-59 months in Silahisabung District, Dairi Regency. The population used in this research is 453 toddlers aged 0-59 months. Case sampling technique using total sampling. All stunting toddlers were taken as cases of 78 toddlers and 78 as controls. Using weight scales and body length measuring instruments, research data was collected using questionnaires and tools to determine the nutritional status of babies under two years old. Data processing and analysis included univariate and bivariate using the chi-square test. The results showed that there were stunted toddlers, namely 61.5% did not have access to water facilities that met the requirements, and 44.9% of toddlers who suffered from stunting were in the age range of 21-40 months. Bivariate analysis using the chi-square test showed an effect of clean water sanitation (p=0.002, OR=2.764) and household food sanitation hygiene (p=0.004, OR=2.562) on the incidence of stunting in toddlers. Management of stunting events requires good coordination and collaboration between health workers, the government and the community in reducing risk factors. Personal hygiene will be further improved in preparing and processing food by practising the principles of food sanitation hygiene.Keywords: Food Hygiene, Sanitation, Stunting, Toddler