Sex-based differences in subjective symptoms among medical students exposed to low-levels of formaldehyde in a gross anatomy dissection course

Abstract

Background In our university, large-scale renovation for the installation of dissection tables equipped with local ventilation systems and the renewal of the general ventilation system was carried out in 2011 to reduce exposure of students to formaldehyde (FA) during a dissection course. These renovations caused the indoor FA levels to decrease dramatically. Not many reports are available on the health effects of a low FA level on medical students. We believe that there is a need to develop further strategies to reduce FA exposure in a low FA level environment. Women generally reported more health conditions than men. Therefore, we need to analyze the results according to sex. Aims To study the changes in subjective symptoms of medical students before, during, and 6 months after completion of the course according to sex. Methods We investigated the prevalence of 24 subjective symptoms in medical students before the start of a gross anatomy dissection course, during the course, and 6 months after completion of the course by using 2 self-administered questionnaires. Students completed the first survey at the end of the course, which focused on symptoms before and, during the course. The second survey was completed 6 months after the course ended. We investigated the difference in the pattern of subjective symptoms reported by men and women during 3?periods. Results The prevalence of most subjective symptoms was the lowest 6 months after completion of the course. Based on sex, the prevalence of most subjective symptoms was higher in women than in men during and 6 months after the course. The number of symptoms 6 months after the course was 17 in men and 5 in women, which indicated a significant decrease compared with the symptom prevalence during the course. Conclusions Our results indicate that the prevalence of subjective symptoms in women continued to be higher than in men 6 months after course completion. A countermeasure needs to be developed especially for women.