Abstract
Background:Apart from being exposed to various hazards, there are several other factors that contribute to the deterioration of traffic police health.Objectives:A cross-sectional study was carried out to explore the association of occupational, socio-demographic, and lifestyle factors with lung functions in traffic policemen in Kuala Lumpur (KL) and Johor Bahru (JB).Methods:A spirometer was used to measure lung function of subjects, whereas a self-administered questionnaire was used to obtain their information on background data, lifestyle, and occupational factors. The statistical test used was Spearman rho’s test and chi-square test; then, the factors were further tested using Logistic regressions.Findings:134 male subjects were selected as respondents in this study with 83% response rate. Among all the factors tested, age (FVC: χ = 8.42(3), p = 0.04), (FEV: χ = 8.26(3), p = 0.04), rank (FVC: χ = 8.52(3), p = 0.04), (FEV: χ = 8.05(3), p = 0.04), duration of services (FVC: χ = 11.0(1), p = 0.04), (FEV: χ = 6.53(1), p = 0.01), and average working hours (with the Measured FVC (litre), r = –3.97, p < 0.001; Measured FEV1 (litre), r = –3.70, p < 0.001; Predicted FVC, r = –0.49, p < 0.001; Predicted FEV1, r = –0.47, p < 0.001; and %Ratio FEV1/FV, r = –0.47, p < 0.001) were significantly related to lung function among traffic police.Conclusions:Occupational factors play a crucial role, and hence, the authorities should take action in generating flexible working hours and the duration of services accordingly. The data from this study can help by serving as a reference to the top management of traffic police officers to develop occupational safety and health guideline for police officers to comply with the Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSHA, Act 514 1994).
Highlights
Since the Malaysian traffic police in the Point Duty Department is working in an outdoor environment for long and irregular hours, they are directly exposed to air pollutant scattered in the air
Kuala Lumpur (KL) and Johor Bahru (JB) primarily is a crucial workplace for traffic police since both areas serve as the busiest city centres in Malaysia with many industrial and business operations [3]
There was no study has been conducted in traffic policemen in KL and JB. In response to this problem, this study proposes to investigate the association of occupational factors, socio-demographic, and lifestyle with lung functions in traffic policeman who works in dense traffic areas in KL and JB
Summary
Under the Police Act, 1967 Section 21 task of regulating, monitoring, and maintaining the flow of traffic on public roads falls to the responsibilities of the traffic policeman [2]. With such obligations; they have no choice other than to perform the given task. Objectives: A cross-sectional study was carried out to explore the association of occupational, socio-demographic, and lifestyle factors with lung functions in traffic policemen in Kuala Lumpur (KL) and Johor Bahru (JB). The data from this study can help by serving as a reference to the top management of traffic police officers to develop occupational safety and health guideline for police officers to comply with the Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSHA, Act 514 1994)
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