Individual characteristics and quitting in apprentices exposed to high-molecular-weight agents

To determine whether specific immunological sensitization (SIS) and symptom s of allergy are associated with quitting apprenticeships with exposure to high-molecular-weight (HMW) agents. in a cohort study of 769 apprentices st arting career programs in animal health technology (AHT), pastry-making (PM ), and dental hygiene technology (DHT), health status was assessed at basel ine and yearly for up to 44 mo. Subjects who quit the apprenticeship were c ontacted and offered a last series of measurements as if they pursued. The effect of various factors-at baseline and during the career program-on quit ting was examined. Eighty-nine of 769 subjects (11.6%) quit, of whom 74 par ticipated in this study. In multivariate analysis, a history of hay fever ( OR = 1.66, 95% CI = 1.0 to 2.75) and attending the pastry-making program (O R = 2.33, 95% CI = 1.11 to 4.91) were significant determinants for quitting . In the subgroup of AHT, SIS to laboratory animals, hay fever, and shortne ss of breath were significant determinants by univariate analysis; in PM, t he only determinant was age; and in DHT, hay fever. Work-related symptoms d uring training were not associated with quitting. In a multivariate logisti c regression analysis in AHT, including characteristics at baseline and at follow-up, baseline SIS (OR = 2.8, 95%, CI = 0.94 to 8.38) and symptoms of asthma in general during follow-up (OR = 2.2, 95% CI = 0.94 to 5.38) were t he main determinants for quitting, though they were of borderline significa nce. We conclude that health-related self-selection out of an apprenticeshi p with exposure to HMW agents is likely to occur and to cause an attrition bias.