ASSESSMENT OF WORK-RELATED ASTHMA KNOWLEDGE AND ATTITUDES AMONG ASTHMATIC PHARMACEUTICAL WORKERS IN JOHANNESBURG

Background: Globally, an estimated 17% of asthma in adults, could be attributed to the work environment and therefore be preventable. Work-related asthma (WRA), a preventable yet significant occupational health concern, has received limited attention among pharmaceutical workers despite the sector’s economic importance. This highlights the importance of workers’ having adequate knowledge of and a positive attitude to WRA. Objective: To assess the knowledge of and attitudes to WRA among pharmaceutical workers in Johannesburg. Methods: A quantitative cross-sectional study was conducted among 322 workers with various roles in Johannesburg’s pharmaceutical industry. Data were collected electronically using a structured questionnaire and analysed using descriptive statistics and logistic regression models, which were adjusted for age and sex. Results: Pharmaceutical workers with 20–30 years of service had a significantly higher WRA knowledge than those with less experience (OR_A = 4.29, 95% CI: 1.23–14.92). Atopic workers were more knowledgeable about the risks of WRA than non-atopic workers (OR_A 27.30, 95% CI 11.02–67.61). Workers who reported being ‘very often’ exposed to drug fumes had significantly higher unadjusted odds of WRA knowledge compared to those who reported ‘never’ being exposed (OR = 3.93, 95% CI: 1.31–11.79). Similarly, workers who were always exposed to preservatives (OR = 4.58, 95% CI: 1.58–13.39) and latex (OR = 12.30, 95% CI:5.09–23.25) were also more knowledgeable about WRA than those less exposed to them. Smokers had better attitudes to WRA than non-smokers (OR = 2.66, 95% CI 1.25–5.68). Conclusion: Factors such as work experience, smoking status and atopy affected pharmaceutical workers’ knowledge of and attitudes to WRA. Work experience was associated with improved knowledge, suggesting the value of cumulative experience and targeted training. The findings highlight the need to strengthen education and training interventions to improve knowledge and awareness of WRA among all workers. These findings may contribute to advancing occupational health practices by promoting safer work environments and mitigating the burden of WRA in the pharmaceutical sector.