Personal dust exposure and chronic respiratory health symptoms among flour mill factory Workers in Akaki kaliti sub city, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, 2019.
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Date
2019-09
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Addis Abeba University
Abstract
Background: Flour mill workers are at an increased risk of developing respiratory symptoms
due to exposure to flour dust in their working environment. Exposure to flour dust linked with
the development of chronic respiratory disorders. However, very little evidence has been
available on the exposure level of flour dust and the respiratory health status of exposed workers.
Objective: The aim of this study was to assess personal dust exposure level, chronic respiratory
health symptoms and associated factors among flour mill workers in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
Methods: Cross-sectional study was conducted among a sample of 424 randomly selected
workers from Kaliti and Fafa flour mill factories. Respiratory health symptoms were assessed
using an American Thoracic Society standard questionnaire customized with local context. For
personal dust exposure assessment a total of 50 personal dust samplers were collected from 25
randomly selected workers. A repeated sample was taken from five work sections having similar
exposure group following Rappaport sampling recommendation. Epi-Info V. 7.2 and SPSS V.21
statistical software were used for data entry and analysis, respectively. Descriptive statistics was
used, and data was presented using tables and figures. Gravimetric analysis of the filters was
done using a standard micro-balance with a detection limit 0.01mg in Environmental and
Occupational Health accredited Laboratory, School of Public Health, Addis Ababa University.
The dust level was described and compared with the threshold limit value of American
conference of governmental industrial hygienist recommendation (10 mg/m3) for total dust.
Results: Majority (92%) of workers were exceeded the threshold limit value recommended for
total dust (10 mg/m
3
). The prevalence of chronic respiratory health symptoms among flour mill
factory workers was 58.3% (53.7-63.4). Chronic respiratory health symptoms were significantly
associated with age group(AOR=1.95, 95%CI;1.17-2.79 and AOR=12.3, 95%CI;4.39-34.6),
monthly income (AOR=1.68, 95% CI;1-2.79), work experience (AOR=2.58, 95% CI;1-6.62),
past dust exposure (AOR=1.86, 95% CI;1.08-3.2) and utilization of respiratory protective
equipment‘s (AOR=2.29, 95%CI;1.27-4.13).The GM (±GSD) of dust exposure level was
62.75(±12.55) mg/m
3
.
Conclusion and recommendation: Chronic respiratory health symptoms were highly prevalent
among flour mill factory workers and workers who exposed to flour dust concentration was
above the acceptable recommended limit value. Supportive supervision and solution between
Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs, flour mill managers and workers is needed to reduce
exposure and improve working environment.
Description
Keywords
Dust exposure , respiratory health