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Table 4 Associations between weekly building-related symptoms and the work environment (Model 2)

From: Evaluating prevalence and risk factors of building-related symptoms among office workers: Seasonal characteristics of symptoms and psychosocial and physical environmental factors

Variable factors

Eye irritation

OR (95% CI)

General symptoms

OR (95% CI)

Upper respiratory

OR (95% CI)

Skin symptoms

OR (95% CI)

N = 2332

N = 2275

N = 2262

N = 2438

No. of people in officea

1.16 (1.00–1.36)

1.13 (0.97–1.31)

1.11 (0.89–1.38)

1.15 (0.81–1.64)

Work station

 Floor carpet (with)

1.53 (1.13–2.06)**

1.56 (1.17–2.08) **

1.77 (1.13–2.78) *

3.07 (1.30–7.27) *

 Lightingb

0.77 (0.58–1.01)

0.89 (0.68–1.17)

0.64 (0.45–0.93)*

0.62 (0.35–1.09)

 Reflection or glare in visionc

1.42 (1.23–1.66)**

1.48 (1.27–1.72)**

1.49 (1.22–1.82) **

1.61 (1.21–2.16) **

 Table comfortd

1.03 (0.82–1.31)

1.07 (0.85–1.35)

0.88 (0.63–1.22)

1.31 (0.78–2.18)

 Chair comfortd

1.48 (1.19–1.86)**

1.58 (1.27–1.96)**

2.06 (1.53–2.79)**

1.18 (0.72–1.95)

 Work with computer

3.53 (1.03–12.18) *

1.41 (0.66–3.03)

  

 Use of odorous chemicalse

1.14 (1.05–1.23)**

1.10 (1.02–1.19)*

1.06 (0.94–1.19)

0.98 (0.81–1.19)

Change in workplacef

 New carpeting

0.99 (0.36–2.75)

 

0.52 (0.11–2.40)

 

 Painted wall

  

5.96 (1.16–30.64)*

 

 New furniture

0.88 (0.48–1.63)

 

1.06 (0.44–2.56)

 

 New wall covering

1.19 (0.43–3.28)

 

1.19 (0.22–6.47)

 

 Water damage

   

1.32 (0.40–4.35)

Equipment/installation

 Laser printerg

1.11 (0.83–1.50)

0.96 (0.72–1.29)

  

 Bubble jet printerg

1.05 (0.79–1.40)

1.02 (0.77–1.36)

 

1.71 (0.92–3.18)

 Copierg

1.25 (0.92–1.70)

1.33 (0.99–1.78)

1.20 (0.81–1.77)

1.64 (0.88–3.07)

 Exterior windowg

  

0.79 (0.54–1.16)

 

 Doorg

0.71 (0.52–0.97)

   

 Fragranceh

   

1.59 (0.59–4.26)

 Air freshenerh

 

1.04 (0.71–1.44)

1.15 (0.67–1.98)

 

 Repellenth

  

1.15 (0.66–2.03)

0.63 (0.23–1.72)

  1. Values are expressed as adjusted odds ratios (95% CI) for participants with complete data. Values are adjusted for personal factors and job stressors with p < 0.2 in univariate analyses using multivariate regression analysis. Ref. = referent. Significant at * p < 0.05, ** p < 0.01. Text in parentheses reflects case groups
  2. a Number of people working in the room in which workstation of respondent is located. Six levels of response are 1) 1 person, 2) 2–3 persons, 3) 4–7 persons, 4) 8–20 persons, 5) 21–50 persons, and 6) ≥ 51 persons
  3. b Five levels of response are 1) much too dim, 2) a little too dim, 3) Just right, 4) a little too bright, and 5) much too bright
  4. c Five levels of response are 1) rarely, 2) occasionally, 3) sometimes, 4) fairly often, and 5) very often
  5. d Four levels of response are 1) very comfortable, 2) reasonably comfortable, 3) somewhat uncomfortable, and 4) very uncomfortable
  6. e Five levels of response are 1) never, 2) less than 3 times/week, 3) 3–4 times a week, 4) about once a week, and 5) several times a day; with cleanser, glue, correction fluid, or other odorous chemicals
  7. f Change taken place within five meters of workstation in last 3 months
  8. g Within two meters of workstation
  9. h In workplace indoors