Objective: The aim of this study is to compare the blood lead levels in employed and unemployed women and associate the difference with sociodemographic and reproductive factors.
Participants: Out of a 100 women attending the routine check-up unit of Family Medicine Department for screening of osteoporosis and blood lead levels, 63 post-menopausal participants; 36 unemployed and 27 employed, were included in the study.
Methods: Patients completed a questionnaire regarding their sociodemographics. Their blood chemistry and blood lead levels were determined and bone mineral densities were measured by Dual Energy X-Ray Absorptiometry. In the statistical analysis, Mann-Whitney U test was used to compare means and χ<formula> ^{2}</formula> was used to compare ratios. Backward logistic regression was used for multivariate analysis.
Results: There was no significant difference between the age (57.17 ± 7.46; unemployed, 54.19 ± 5.36; employed). The mean blood lead levels were 25.92 ± 9.31 μ g/dl in the unemployed group and 33.98 ± 13.50 μg/dl in the employed group (p=0.011) adjusted for age. Smoking rate was significantly higher in employed women (p=0.033) whereas the number of births (p=0.032) and duration of breastfeeding (p=0.008) were significantly lower. Although both groups were osteoporotic and post-menopausal, there was no association between osteoporosis and employment while unemployed women had an earlier menopause (p=0.037).
Conclusions: Lead levels are above the accepted threshhold (20 μg/dl) in both groups. Strict environmental and social improvement efforts in both groups are recommended.