ASTHMA AND ALLERGY IN NEW-ZEALAND FARMERS

Aims To examine the prevalence of symptoms of asthma and allergy in di fferent farming groups in New Zealand. Methods A postal questionnaire was sent to a random sample of 2,500 farmers throughout New Zealand. R esults The response rate was 77% (1,706 of 2,203 eligibles). The 12-mo nth period prevalence of current asthma was 11.8% overall, compared wi th 15% in the general population. Asthma prevalence was higher for hor se breeders/groomers (16.5%), pig farmers (18.2%), poultry farmers (17 .4%), and those working with oats (17.4%). Asthma was also significant ly elevated among those working with cleaning powders (14.7%). Women w ere more likely to report current asthma than were men (OR 1.8, 95% CI 1.3-2.5). Hayfever was significantly higher in deer and crap farmers, and farmers working with horses and goats; eczema was higher for goat and deer farmers. Conclusions The lower overall prevalence of asthma in farmers may be due to the healthy worker effect. Among farmers, the types of farming associated with an elevated prevalence of asthma and allergy in New Zealand are deer and goat farming, working with horses , poultry, pigs, and crop farming. Females reported more current asthm a than males. Am. J. Ind. Med. 35:51-57, 1999. (C) 1999 Wiley-Liss, In c.