Affiliations: Department of Family Medicine, Istanbul University,
Cerrahpasa Medical Faculty, Istanbul, Turkey | Department of Public Health, Istanbul University,
Cerrahpasa Medical Faculty, Istanbul, Turkey | Department of Biophysics, Istanbul University,
Cerrahpasa Medical Faculty,Istanbul, Turkey | Department of Nuclear Medicine, Istanbul University,
Cerrahpasa Medical Faculty, Istanbul, Turkey
Note: [] Address for correspondence: Ethem Erginöz, Department of
Public Health, Cerrahpasa Medical Faculty, Istanbul University, 34303-Istanbul,
Turkey. Tel.: +90 0532 2415694; Fax: +91 0212 4143321; E-mail:
erginose@istanbul.edu.tr
Abstract: OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study is to compare the blood lead levels
in employed and unemployed women and associate the difference with
sociodemographic and reproductive factors. PARTICIPANTS: Out of a 100 women attending the routine check-up unit
of Family Medicine Department for screening of osteoporosis and blood lead
levels, 63 post-menopausal participants; 36 unemployed and 27 employed, were
included in the study. METHODS: Patients completed a questionnaire regarding their
sociodemographics. Their blood chemistry and blood lead levels were determined
and bone mineral densities were measured by Dual Energy X-Ray Absorptiometry.
In the statistical analysis, Mann-Whitney U test was used to compare means and
χ ^{2} was used to compare ratios. Backward logistic
regression was used for multivariate analysis. RESULTS: There was no significant difference between the age (57.17
± 7.46; unemployed, 54.19 ± 5.36; employed). The mean blood lead
levels were 25.92 ± 9.31 μ g/dl in the unemployed group and 33.98
± 13.50 μg/dl in the employed group (p=0.011) adjusted for age.
Smoking rate was significantly higher in employed women (p=0.033) whereas the
number of births (p=0.032) and duration of breastfeeding (p=0.008) were
significantly lower. Although both groups were osteoporotic and
post-menopausal, there was no association between osteoporosis and employment
while unemployed women had an earlier menopause (p=0.037). CONCLUSIONS: Lead levels are above the accepted threshhold (20
μg/dl) in both groups. Strict environmental and social improvement efforts
in both groups are recommended.
Keywords: Work, blood lead levels, reproductive factors
