Work Environment-Related Risk Factors for Leptospirosis among Plantation Workers in Tropical Countries: Evidence from Malaysia
Background: Leptospirosis is a zoonotic disease that is recognized as a re-emerging global public health issue, especially in tropical and subtropical countries. Malaysia, for example, has increasingly registered leptospirosis cases, outbreaks, and fatalities over the past decade. One of the majo...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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National Iranian Oil Company (NIOC) Health Organization
2016
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| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | http://eprints.usm.my/37288/1/%28Work_Environment-Related_Risk%29_699-3533-2-PB.pdf |
| _version_ | 1825833631183011840 |
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| author | Ridzuan, J Mohd Daud, Aziah Zahiruddin, WM |
| author_facet | Ridzuan, J Mohd Daud, Aziah Zahiruddin, WM |
| author_sort | Ridzuan, J Mohd |
| collection | USM |
| description | Background: Leptospirosis is a zoonotic disease that is recognized as a re-emerging global
public health issue, especially in tropical and subtropical countries. Malaysia, for example,
has increasingly registered leptospirosis cases, outbreaks, and fatalities over the past decade.
One of the major industries in the country is the palm oil sector, which employs numerous
agricultural workers. These laborers are at a particularly high risk of contracting the disease.
Objective: To identify the work environment-related risk factors for leptospirosis infection
among oil palm plantation workers in Malaysia.
Methods: A cross-sectional study involving 350 workers was conducted. The participants
were interviewed and administered a microscopic agglutination test. Seropositivity was determined
using a cut-off titer of ≥1:100.
Results: 100 of 350 workers tested positive for leptospiral antibodies, hence, a seroprevalence
of 28.6% (95% CI 23.8% to 33.3%). The workplace environment-related risk factors
significantly associated with seropositive leptospirosis were the presence of cows in plantations
(adjusted OR 4.78, 95% CI 2.76 to 8.26) and the presence of a landfill in plantations
(adjusted OR 2.04, 95% CI 1.22 to 3.40).
Conclusion: Preventing leptospirosis incidence among oil palm plantation workers necessitates
changes in policy on work environments. Identifying modifiable factors may also contribute
to the reduction of the infection. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-06T15:10:43Z |
| format | Article |
| id | usm.eprints-37288 |
| institution | Universiti Sains Malaysia |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-06T15:10:43Z |
| publishDate | 2016 |
| publisher | National Iranian Oil Company (NIOC) Health Organization |
| record_format | dspace |
| spelling | usm.eprints-372882018-02-09T07:53:18Z http://eprints.usm.my/37288/ Work Environment-Related Risk Factors for Leptospirosis among Plantation Workers in Tropical Countries: Evidence from Malaysia Ridzuan, J Mohd Daud, Aziah Zahiruddin, WM R5-130.5 General works Background: Leptospirosis is a zoonotic disease that is recognized as a re-emerging global public health issue, especially in tropical and subtropical countries. Malaysia, for example, has increasingly registered leptospirosis cases, outbreaks, and fatalities over the past decade. One of the major industries in the country is the palm oil sector, which employs numerous agricultural workers. These laborers are at a particularly high risk of contracting the disease. Objective: To identify the work environment-related risk factors for leptospirosis infection among oil palm plantation workers in Malaysia. Methods: A cross-sectional study involving 350 workers was conducted. The participants were interviewed and administered a microscopic agglutination test. Seropositivity was determined using a cut-off titer of ≥1:100. Results: 100 of 350 workers tested positive for leptospiral antibodies, hence, a seroprevalence of 28.6% (95% CI 23.8% to 33.3%). The workplace environment-related risk factors significantly associated with seropositive leptospirosis were the presence of cows in plantations (adjusted OR 4.78, 95% CI 2.76 to 8.26) and the presence of a landfill in plantations (adjusted OR 2.04, 95% CI 1.22 to 3.40). Conclusion: Preventing leptospirosis incidence among oil palm plantation workers necessitates changes in policy on work environments. Identifying modifiable factors may also contribute to the reduction of the infection. National Iranian Oil Company (NIOC) Health Organization 2016-07 Article PeerReviewed application/pdf en http://eprints.usm.my/37288/1/%28Work_Environment-Related_Risk%29_699-3533-2-PB.pdf Ridzuan, J Mohd and Daud, Aziah and Zahiruddin, WM (2016) Work Environment-Related Risk Factors for Leptospirosis among Plantation Workers in Tropical Countries: Evidence from Malaysia. The International Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, 7 (3). pp. 156-163. ISSN 2008-6520 http://www.theijoem.com/ijoem/index.php/ijoem/article/view/699 |
| spellingShingle | R5-130.5 General works Ridzuan, J Mohd Daud, Aziah Zahiruddin, WM Work Environment-Related Risk Factors for Leptospirosis among Plantation Workers in Tropical Countries: Evidence from Malaysia |
| title | Work Environment-Related Risk Factors for Leptospirosis among Plantation Workers in Tropical Countries: Evidence from Malaysia |
| title_full | Work Environment-Related Risk Factors for Leptospirosis among Plantation Workers in Tropical Countries: Evidence from Malaysia |
| title_fullStr | Work Environment-Related Risk Factors for Leptospirosis among Plantation Workers in Tropical Countries: Evidence from Malaysia |
| title_full_unstemmed | Work Environment-Related Risk Factors for Leptospirosis among Plantation Workers in Tropical Countries: Evidence from Malaysia |
| title_short | Work Environment-Related Risk Factors for Leptospirosis among Plantation Workers in Tropical Countries: Evidence from Malaysia |
| title_sort | work environment related risk factors for leptospirosis among plantation workers in tropical countries evidence from malaysia |
| topic | R5-130.5 General works |
| url | http://eprints.usm.my/37288/1/%28Work_Environment-Related_Risk%29_699-3533-2-PB.pdf |
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