Methods : A total of 1,143 people in rural area of Gyeonggi-do were enrolled in this study. Evaluations included a structured questionnaire and skin prick test with 15 inhalation allergens (including one each negative and positive controls). Statistical analysis was used as a multivariable logistic regression analysis to analyze the association of the positive prevalence and risk factors.
Results : Thirty people were excluded skin prick test results invalid, the proportion of positive reaction to at least one allergen rate is 18.1%. The most common sensitizing allergen is D.pteronyssinus(8.7%) and D.farinae(8.6%) and cockroaches, grass pollen mixture in order. Farmers who answered mainly cultivate flowers is the adjusted odds ratio of 5.63(95% CI 2.317-13.547) times more than rice and particularly high grass pollen mixture, cockroaches, mugwort, ragweed. In other risk factors, such as whether currently engaged in agriculture, pesticide use, indoor work we did not find statistically significant.
Conclusions : This study has its significance in that it can evaluate the health risks of occupational exposure of domestic farmers. But positive reaction to the skin prick test and presence of allergic disease is not equal, so it is necessary to interpret cautiously. We observed odds ratio appears high in the flower farmers and to show a different trend in the prevalence of crops and other inhalation allergens are thought to require further research in the future it.