Critical evaluation of medical, statistical, and occupational data sources in the Kola Peninsula of Russia pertinent to reproductive health studies |
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Authors: | J Ø Odland V P Tchachtchine V Bykov P E Fiskebeck E Lund Y Thomassen E Nieboer |
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Institution: | Institute of Community Medicine, University of Troms?, N-9037 Troms?, Norway Fax: +47 7764 4831 E-mail: joodland@online.no, NO Kola Research Laboratory for Occupational Health, Kirovsk, Russia, RU Office of the Finnmark County Governor, Department of Environmental Affairs, Vads?, Norway, NO National Institute of Occupational Health, Oslo, Norway, NO
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Abstract: | Background: The feasibility study described herein was prompted by a report in 1992 of possible reproductive and developmental health
concerns among female workers in a Russian nickel refinery. Objective: The primary goal was to ascertain whether medical, statistical, and occupational data bases could be accessed for information
about the pregnancy histories, occupational histories, and life-style factors of the women affected. Methods: The project was facilitated by construction of a registry of all births in three towns with a nickel refinery and verification
of its contents against patients' records obtained from hospital delivery and gynecology departments and community polyclinics.
Municipal Registration Board, Regional Health Statistics Board, and nickel company records were also reviewed. Results: Reproductive/developmental outcome information and workplace histories were acceptable. Sample-size calculations indicated
that a cohort or cross-sectional study would be amenable and suitable for the detection of an excess risk for spontaneous
abortion with adequate statistical significance and power. Such investigations would need to be supplemented by workplace
environmental/biological monitoring assessments for evaluation of exposure to occupational hazardous factors and a worker's
questionnaire to obtain information about life-style factors. A case-control design is recommended for the study of congenital
defects. Conclusions: A well-designed, comprehensive epidemiology study is technically feasible because of the availability of a favorable pool
of study subjects, reproductive/developmental outcome data, information to control for major confounders, and suitable occupational
records.
Received: 13 July 1998 / Accepted: 7 February 1999 |
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Keywords: | Russia Epidemiology Nickel workers Reproduction |
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