Jo. Odland et al., Critical evaluation of medical, statistical, and occupational data sourcesin the Kola Peninsula of Russia pertinent to reproductive health studies, INT A OCCUP, 72(3), 1999, pp. 151-160
Citations number
19
Categorie Soggetti
Envirnomentale Medicine & Public Health","Pharmacology & Toxicology
Journal title
INTERNATIONAL ARCHIVES OF OCCUPATIONAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH
Background: The feasibility study described herein was prompted by a report
in 1992 of possible reproductive and developmental health concerns among f
emale workers in a Russian nickel refinery. Objective: The primary goal was
to ascertain whether medical, statistical, and occupational data bases cou
ld be accessed for information about the pregnancy histories, occupational
histories, and life-style factors of the women affected. Methods: The proje
ct was facilitated by construction of a registry of all births in three tow
ns with a nickel refinery and verification of its contents against patients
' records obtained from hospital delivery and gynecology departments and co
mmunity polyclinics. Municipal Registration Board, Regional Health Statisti
cs Board, and nickel company records were also reviewed. Results: Reproduct
ive/developmental outcome information and workplace histories were acceptab
le. Sample-size calculations indicated that a cohort or cross-sectional stu
dy would be amenable and suitable for the detection of an excess risk for s
pontaneous abortion with adequate statistical significance and power. Such
investigations would need to be supplemented by workplace environmental/bio
logical monitoring assessments for evaluation of exposure to occupational h
azardous factors and a worker's questionnaire to obtain information about l
ife-style factors. A case-control design is recommended for the study of co
ngenital defects. Conclusions: A well-designed, comprehensive epidemiology
study is technically feasible because of the availability of a favorable po
ol of study subjects, reproductive/developmental outcome data, information
to control for major confounders, and suitable occupational records.