Assessment of chronic respiratory symptoms and associated factors among marble factory workers in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia: a comparative cross-sectional study.
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Date
2021-01
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Addis Abeba University
Abstract
Background
Marble used in the sculpturing of statute and the construction of buildings and monuments is
metamorphic limestone. Persons employed in carving statues from stone and marble rock are
exposed to dust containing particles of calcium carbonate and silica. Marble has been commonly
used as a building material since ancient times. During the cutting process about 25-30%, the
original marble mass is lost in the form of dust which is suspended in the air and then inhaled by
the workers. Dust particles that are inhaled are lodged in the lung and cause chronic respiratory
diseases. Therefore, the aim of this study was to assess the magnitude of chronic respiratory
symptoms in marble factory workers in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia and to compare it with a control
group of Awash Wine Factory workers who had low level of dust exposure.
Objectives:
This study was designed to assess the prevalence of chronic respiratory symptoms and associated
factors among marble factory workers in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
Methods:
A comparative cross sectional study was done in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia from 21 October 2020 up
to 10 January 2021. The Marble factory, which has a high level of dust exposure, and the Awash
Wine Factory, which has a low level of dust exposure, were the subjects of a comparative crosssectional
study. The study enlisted 492 participants selected by systematic random sampling
method and were interviewed using a modified British Medical Research Council respiratory and
American Thoracic Society and National Heart & Lung Institute Division of Lung Disease
Respiratory Questionnaire. EPI DATA 3.1 software was used to enter data, and SPSS version 23
was used to analyze it. To determine the relationship between determinant factors and chronic
respiratory symptoms, descriptive statistics, bivariate logistic, and multivariate logistic regression
analysis were used.
Result:
The mean ages of the participants in the marble factory were 40.41(SD± 9.1) and the mean age of
the control group was 40.46 (SD± 9.6). According to the study, the prevalence of chronic
respiratory problems was 42.1 percent in marble manufacturers and 16.2 percent in wine factories.
Income below 3000 birr, family history of chronic respiratory symptoms and current smoking
habits were variables with bivariate significance but multiple logistic regression analysis showed
that age greater than 40, previous respiratory disease confirmed by physician, personal protective
equipment, past history of confirmed health problems, service years more than 10 years in the
factory, and working hours greater than 48 per week were independent factors that determine the
development of chronic respiratory symptoms.
Conclusion:
The present study concluded that workers in the marble industry had a higher chronic respiratory
disease compared to controls. To reduce the impact, it is recommended that the workers should,
use proper respiratory protective equipment, reduce exposure hours to dust, check health status for
early diagnosis and treatment
Description
Keywords
Respiratory symptoms