Browsing by Author "Alemu, Yidnekachew"

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    Chronic Respiratory Symptoms and Associated Factors among Fruit and Vegetable Workers in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia: Comparative Cross Sectional Study.
    (Addis Abeba University, 2021-06) Alemu, Yidnekachew; Wakuma, Samson(Msc,Mph,Phd); Gezu, Maeza(MPH)
    Background: Fruit And Vegetable Market is an abundant source of bio- aerosols as fruits and vegetables are in and out in the daily basis. Thus, regular workers are exposed to these bioaerosols for a significant period of time depending on their work timetable. Exposure to organic and inorganic waste and long term inhalation of bio-aerosols during working hours may be associated with increases in chronic respiratory health symptoms among green grocers. Objective: The objective of this research was to determine the prevalence of chronic respiratory symptoms and related factors of fruit and vegetable workers compared with the control, in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Methods and materials: Comparative cross sectional study was carried out from Sep 2020–July 2021.A total of 314 (156 fruit and vegetable workers and 158 office workers were participated in the study. Chronic respiratory symptoms were assessed by interview method using questionnaire adapted from the British Medical Research Council‟s. Then data was first entered a using Ep info version 7.1. Then data were smoothed, edited using SPSS version 24 software. Multiple linear regressions, bivariate logistic regressions and Multivariable logistic regression were computed to depict the data and related factors. Also culture method was done to count and compare bacterial and fungal concentrations between fruit and vegetable workers and office workers. Results: In this study the prevalence ratio of overall chronic respiratory symptoms (PR = 2.87, 95% CI: 1.772-4.66) was significantly higher fruit and vegetable workers (46.7%) compared to controls (23.4%). And also the bivariate and multivariable logistic regression score showed that sex, (AOR = 2.11, 95% CI = 1.12-3.98) educational status, (AOR = 1.34, 95% CI = 0.78-2.32), Working hours per day (AOR = 3.91, 95% CI = 1.586-9.65), working department (AOR = 3.20, 95% CI = 0.9011.40) were associated with chronic respiratory symptoms. And an average Bacterial and Fungal concentration was also found to be significantly higher in the air of vegetable market (276 Colony Forming Unit) as compared to air in the workplace of controls (7 Colony Forming Unit). Similarly vegetable markets have higher number of fungal concentration than that of the controls. I.e. (too numerous to Count) versus nil respectively. Conclusion: The fruit and vegetable market workers (green grocers) had a higher prevalence of chronic respiratory symptoms relative to office workers. So that, respiratory protective devices should be given to deliver preventive measures.