Todesse, Getachew (PhD)W. Yohannes, Mentesinot2018-09-212023-11-052018-09-212023-11-051988-02http://etd.aau.edu.et/handle/123456789/12100This study was conducted to investigate the prevalence of byssinosis and ather respiratory conditions among 595 workers (322 male and 273 female) involved in dusty operations of a typical Ethiopian textile mill located in Bahir Dar, Ethiopia. A respiratory questionnaire was administered and pre-and post-shift forced vital capacity (F VC) and forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV 7) were determined for each worker. Multiple area air samples were analysed fUr , elutriated dust concentration (range \- / \ 3 .. 0.86-3.52 mg/m ) and personal sampling dust concentration (range: 7.03 - 3.83mg/m 3 ) The case study groups and control groups were stratified by time weighted dust concentration and then cross-tabulated with respect to high and low cumulative dust exposure. The prevalence of byssinosis was assessed to be 43.2% among blowers and 37.5% in carders in comparison to 4 to 24% among workers in other sections. Chronic bronchitis and bronchial asthma also occurred in the range of 77.6 to 47.7% and 8.5 to 20.5% respectively, x vi in all sections. Significant accrass- shift decrements in FEV 7 and F VC were observed in the case study groups when compared with control group . The estimated relative risk of developing byssinosis, bronchial osthma and chronic bronchitis accountable to high cumulative dust ex posure were significant with an odds ratio of 27.76 , 5.72 and 3.64 than to low cumulative dust ex posure . Significant dose-response relationship for pulmonary function and respiratory illnesses models was also observed by regression analysis. The result of this study revealed that the prevalence of byssinosis and other respiratory illnesses was very high in one of the mills processing raw cotton. Applications of proposed preventive measures and early detection of exposure e ffects are expected to reduce the prevalence of byssinosis and other respiratory illnesses. Further research including a nationwide survery is suggested in order to determine the magnitude of the problem nationwide. This study represents the first epidemiological study of the textile industry in Ethiopia using diagnostic criterion similar to those which are applied in developed countries, such as the United States and Creat Britain. The study has also enhanced our knowledge end experience in integrating occupational health and intersectoral co-opera tion into practical implementation of primary health care .enByssinosis Respiratory ConditionsThesis