The Relationship Between Dust Exposure (Total Suspended Particulate), Working Period, and Smoking Habit With Symptoms of Acute Respiratory Infection (ARI) Among Sand Miner Workers In Sungai Kunjang Samarinda

Abstract

Workers are a group at risk of health problems caused by work processes, worker behavior, and the workplace environment that can cause occupational diseases. The mortality rate of ARI disease is very high in infants, children, and the elderly, especially in countries with low per capita income. ARI disease is endemic and one of the public health problems. This study aims to determine the relationship between exposure to dust (Total Suspended Particulate) during the work period and smoking habits with ARI symptoms in sand miner workers in Sungai Kunjang Samarinda. This type of research is an analytic survey with a Cross-sectional approach. The population of this study were 50 workers. The sample was 50 sand transport workers who were taken by the Total sampling method. Data collection using questionnaires and Hight Volume Air Sampler tools. Data analysis using the Spearman Rank test which has a 95% confidence level (α = 0.05). The results showed that there were 25 respondents (50%) experiencing symptoms of ARI and 25 respondents (50%) not experiencing symptoms of ARI. The results of dust measurements (Total Suspended Particulate) carried out at point 1 and point 2 of the results show below the quality standard < 230 µg/m3 . Statistical test results showed that there was a relationship between working period (p value=0.000) and smoking habits (p-value=0.009) with ARI symptoms among sand miner workers in Sungai Kunjang Samarinda. In this study, the suggestions put forward are spraying water around the work environment, workers should arrange adequate rest periods, using PPE (masks), reducing smoking by replacing it with candy, applying clean and healthy living behavior to minimize disease transmission, especially ARI, and check themselves to the nearest health service if symptoms and complaints occur.