Risk Factor of Impaired Lung Function of Welders in Binong, Tangerang Deborah Siregar (a*) , Yenni Ferawati (b)
(a,b) Lecturer Faculty of Nursing Universitas Pelita Harapan
Boulevard Jend. Sudirman No. 15A Lippo Village 15811, Indonesia
*deborah.siregar[at]uph.edu
Abstract
Welding is an activity to combine two metal parts by using a heat source from the fuel to permanent bond. The risks faced by welders in the work environment are dust, steam, gas and others, which can interfere with work productivity and health. An exposure to welding fume may associated with lung function disorders and can resulted in breathing problems such as respiratory distress or pulmonary dysfunction. The study aimed to analyze the risk factors of impaired lung function in welding workers in Binong, Tangerang. This research was a quantitative with cross sectional design. The study was conducted among welders (30 workers). Lung function status was measured by spirometry with the parameters of vital capacity (VC), forced vital capacity (FCV), forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1) and ratio of FEV1/FVC. The data was analyzed used chi square. The analysis showed that 20 respondents (67%) had impaired lung function and 10 respondents (33%) had normal lung function. From 20 respondents with impaired lung function there was 5 respondents (25%) had restriction and 15 respondents (75%) had combined restriction and obstruction. Another factor affecting impaired lung function in welding workers is nutritional status, which respondents with abnormal nutritional status are 2.15 times higher risk of impaired lung function compared to respondents who have normal nutritional status. Respondents who did not exercise regularly 1.22 times higher risk of impaired lung function compared to respondents who exercise regularly. Therefore, it is necessary to collaborate with Community Health Center and provide health education to improve healthy lifestyles for welding workers and educate the use of personal equipment when working.
