Profile of Aerosol Pesticide Exposure to Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease among Farmer

Pesticides exposure is important and possibly contributors for global burden of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and it has been reported to higher COPD risk. This study assessed if pesticide exposure associated to prevalence of COPD. A quantitive descriptive study was conducted from April to May 2016 in Purworejo. Subjects were 66 farmers suffering from COPD during 2015 by medical record and 59 farmers showing normal lung function. All subjects were examined by using spirometer and COPD Assessment Test (CAT) questionnaire. Chi square was done to analyze pesticides exposure and factors related to COPD. Pesticide use quantity ≥12 unit/year was 37 subjects (62.71%) higher in non-COPD group than COPD group (p=0.077, OR=0.53; 95% CI 0.24-1.14). Duration of spraying ≥26 was 33 subjects (55.93%) higher in non-COPD group than COPD group (p=0.131, OR=0.58; 95% CI 0.27-1.25). Length of employment, the highest was 63 COPD subjects who worked >29 years (95.45%), higher than non-COPD subjects that only 50 subjects (84.75%) (p=0.042, OR=3.78; 95% CI 0.87-22-61). Length of employment was estimated as the risk factors of lung function abnormalities among farmers.