Higher Risk of Airway Obstruction in Male Garment Workers Associated with Smoking and Occupational Exposure

Ni Wayan Rusni (Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Warmadewa University, Denpasar, Bali, Indonesia)
Tanjung Subrata (Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Warmadewa University, Denpasar, Bali, Indonesia)
Luh Gede Sri Yenny (Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Warmadewa University, Denpasar, Bali, Indonesia)

MEDICA (International Medical Scientific Journal)
Vol. 8 No. 7 (2026): MEDICA (International Medical Scientific Journal)

Respiratory disorders remain an important occupational health concern among garment workers due to workplace conditions and individual behavioral and health-related factors. However, evidence regarding factors associated with airway obstruction in this occupational group remains limited. This study aimed to identify factors associated with airway obstruction among garment workers in Badung Regency, Bali. An analytical observational study with a cross-sectional design was conducted among 52 garment workers selected using simple random sampling. Primary data were collected through structured interviews and spirometry examinations. Independent variables included demographic characteristics, clinical factors, occupational characteristics (including working duration), and behavioral factors. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, Chi-square tests, and Odds Ratio (OR) analysis with a significance level of p < 0.05. Airway obstruction was identified in 34.6% of respondents. Significant associations were observed between airway obstruction and gender, body mass index (BMI), blood pressure, heart rate, working duration, health history, and smoking habits (p < 0.05). Higher odds of airway obstruction were observed among male workers (OR = 26.40), workers with poor health history (OR = 12.92), hypertension (OR = 8.00), and smoking habits (OR = 6.00). Age and personal protective equipment (PPE) use were not significantly associated with airway obstruction. These findings should be interpreted cautiously because of the relatively small sample size. Airway obstruction among garment workers was associated with multiple demographic, clinical, occupational, and behavioral factors, particularly smoking habits and longer working duration. Since workplace dust exposure was not directly measured, the observed occupational associations should be interpreted as indirect indicators rather than direct measures of exposure. Further studies with larger sample sizes and objective environmental exposure assessments are recommended.