Work-related respiratory symptoms in bird zoo keepers — questionnaire data

Objectives: To investigate the risk factors for the development of airway diseases from occupational exposure to birds' allergens among Polish zoo garden keepers caring for birds. Methods: Two hundred workers responded to the questionnaire including the history of work-related symptoms, job characteristics, description of occupational exposure, information on smoking habit, contact with birds and animals at home and family history of allergic diseases. Results: General work-related symptoms were reported by 58 subjects (29%), whereas work-related respiratory symptoms were found in 40 workers (20%). The multivariate logistic regression analysis confirmed the significant role of positive family history of atopy and occupational contact with parrots either in the development of work-related symptoms or work-related respiratory allergic symptoms. Conclusions: The findings may confirm that work-related respiratory symptoms are an important health problem among zoo bird keepers in Poland.