Management of occupational risk to reproduction in a Danish county

In Denmark pregnant women are entitled to receive maintenance allowances if the working conditions are suspected to be harmful to the fetus. The aim of the study was to evaluate these preventive measures taken to reduce occupational hazards to reproduction in Denmark. In 1985 1,247 pregnancies were...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Scandinavian journal of public health 1992-03, Vol.20 (1), p.25-30
Main Authors: Larsen, Anders I., Schaumburg, Inger, Larsen, Anni L.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Attitude to Health
Biological and medical sciences
Chemical and industrial products toxicology. Toxic occupational diseases
Denmark - epidemiology
Female
General aspects
Humans
Maternal Behavior
Maximum Allowable Concentration
Medical sciences
Occupational Exposure
Occupational Health - legislation & jurisprudence
Occupational Health - statistics & numerical data
Pregnancy
Pregnancy Complications - prevention & control
Prevention of disease
Risk Factors
Toxicology
Women, Working - legislation & jurisprudence
Women, Working - statistics & numerical data
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Summary:In Denmark pregnant women are entitled to receive maintenance allowances if the working conditions are suspected to be harmful to the fetus. The aim of the study was to evaluate these preventive measures taken to reduce occupational hazards to reproduction in Denmark. In 1985 1,247 pregnancies were identified in Ribe county during a 6-month period. Three hundred and fortyfive women employed at the beginning of the pregnancy in manufacturing industries, construction work, health services, or agriculture were interviewed by telephone concerning their working conditions and the measures taken to reduce possible occupational risks. The response rate was 85%. On the basis of the interviews the risks and the preventive measures were assessed. Out of 200 women who had no changes in the working conditions during pregnancy, 46 (23%) had a working situation which was considered potentially harmful. For 57 the working situation was changed during the first months of pregnancy because of an assumed risk. The remaining 37 were out of work or received maintenance allowances because of occupational hazards. In this study a greater awareness than expected about possible occupational risks was found, but in some instances occupational risks were overlooked or neglected.
ISSN:0300-8037
1403-4948
1651-1905
DOI:10.1177/140349489202000106