PREVALENCE OF OCCUPATIONAL LUNG-DISEASE IN A RANDOM SAMPLE OF FORMER MINEWORKERS, LIBODE DISTRICT, EASTERN CAPE PROVINCE, SOUTH-AFRICA

Background Gold mineworkers in South Africa are exposed to high levels of silica dust as a result of which they are at risk of developing si licosis, which is a compensable disease. The incidence of tuberculosis is also high. Methods To determine the prevalence of occupational lun g disease and the previous compensation history in former migrant mine workers, a study was undertaken in a random sample of men living in Li bode, a rural district of Eastern Cape Province, South Africa. Two hun dred thirty-eight ex-mineworkers were examined according to a protocol that included chest radiography and spirometry. Chest radiographs wer e read into the International Labour Organisation (ILO) classification for pneumoconioses by two readers. Results The mean age was 52.8 year s, and the mean length of service was 12.15 years. The prevalence of p neumoconiosis (greater than or equal to ILO 1/0) was 22% and 36% (vari ation by reader). For both readers, a significant association between length of service and pneumoconiosis and between pneumoconiosis and re duction in FVC and FEV was found. Twenty-four percent of study subject s were eligible for compensation. Conclusion There is a high prevalenc e of previously undiagnosed, uncompensated pneumoconiosis in the study group. As a result of the failure to diagnose and compensate occupati onal lung disease, the social and economic burden of such disease is b eing borne by individuals, households, and the migrant labor-sending c ommunities as a whole. (C) 1998 Wiley-Liss,Inc.