Acute Respiratory Infections in Informal Footwear Workers

Acute respiratory infections (ARIs) were the most common diseases among informal workers attending the Ciomas Puskesmas (Public Health Centre), Bogor Regency in 2014. Commonly, these infections had occurred because of a lack of knowledge of both ARIs and industrial hygiene in the informal sector. This study aimed to describe the relationship between knowledge and awareness of ARIs (smoking habit and using PPE during work variables) and the incidence of ARIs. The population of study comprised seven footwear workshops in Pagelaran Village, Ciomas District, Bogor Regency. They employed 87 workers in 2014 and all workers were included in the sample of the study. To explore the association between awareness of ARIs and occupational health issues, we used the chi-square test. The study showed that there were 34 (40%) workers who suffered from ARIs. 56 (66%) were smokers, 65 (76%) employees did not use Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) during work, and 75 (88%) workers reported that they did not have knowledge concerning ARIs. Overall, the incidence of ARIs was not significantly associated with a smoking habit (P=1.000), PPE compliance (P=1.000), or knowledge of ARIs (P=0.512). Keywords: Acute Respiratory Infections, occupational health, Personal Protection Equipment, knowledge, smoking habit