Comparative cross sectional study on chronic respiratory symptoms, pulmonary function, and associated factors among flour and Pepsi factory workers in Hawassa city, Southern Ethiopia
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Date
2018-06
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Addis Ababa Universty
Abstract
Background: Flour is a complex organic dust containing a finished product of flour milling process. Flour dust generated during milling process is released into the air and later inhaled by a worker causes occupationally related lung diseases. Common respiratory health problems among flourmill dust exposed workers include a cough, wheezing, and shortness of breath and reduction of pulmonary function.
Objectives: The aim of this study was to assess prevalence of chronic respiratory symptoms, pulmonary function and associated factors among flour factory workers in Hawassa city.
Methods: Comparative cross-sectional study was conducted from January–April 2018 on a sample size of 406 from flour and Pepsi factories and spirometer test performed for 122 workers. Stratified and Systematic sampling methods used for selecting study subjects from each factory .Data was collected by using questionnaire and pulmonary function test equipment’. Data enter was done by using Epi data version 3.1 and cleaned and analyzed using SPSS version 24.Descriptive statistics and Odds ratios were used to describe the data and associated factors.
Results: The mean age of flour factory and Pepsi factory participants were 32.1±9.99 and 31.28 ±7.87 respectively. This study reported that flour factory workers had significantly higher prevalence rate of chronic respiratory symptoms than Pepsi factory workers (56.6%; OR= 1.32, 95 % CI, 1.05-1.65). Chronic respiratory symptoms among flour factory workers were associated with working departments, (AOR = 5.3, 95% CI = 1.68-16.56), work experience (AOR= 5.1, 95 % CI = 2.05-12.48), working hours (AOR = 2.4, 95 % CI, 1.16-5.10) and educational level (AOR = 6.2, 95 %CI, 1.6-24.40). Significant reduction in the overall mean value, FEV1/FVC (p ≤ 0.003) in flour factory workers compared to Pepsi factory workers.
Conclusion and recommendation: Based on the results of the study, conclude that exposure to flour mill dust increases the risk of developing occupationally related chronic respiratory symptoms and pulmonary function reduction. The results suggest that there is need to improve dust control measures in flour factory.
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Flour mill workers, flour dust, chronic respiratory symptoms and pulmonary function