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OCCUPATIONAL HAZARDS AND LUNG FUNCTION OF SAWMILL WORKERS IN KWARA STATE, NORTH CENTRAL, NIGERIA.
Abstract
AIM : To assess sawmill workers awareness of occupational hazards, their knowledge and practice of safety measures. It also aimed to determine the respiratory and lung function inefficiencies attributable to prolonged exposure to saw dust.
METHODS : This cross-sectional analytical study was carried out using a multi-stage sampling technique to recruit sawmill workers into the study group and systemic sampling for control group in Kwara State. One hundred and ninety six workers who had been in continuous employment in sawmill factories for a minimum of six months were studied. These were compared to one hundred and ninety six control subjects, who trade in electrical materials, appliances and electronic gadgets. They were apparently healthy individuals who were not exposed to dust, fumes, smoke, vapours, and had similar socioeconomic characteristics as the study group. Semi-structured questionnaire, observational checklist, spirometer for lung function, haze dust monitor to measure total suspended particulate and sound level meter for noise level assessment were used for the data collection. The data generated was entered and analyzed using SPSS version 16 computer software. A p-value ˂ 0.05 was considered to be statistically significant at 95% confidence level for the study.
RESULTS : Respiratory symptoms were more common among sawmill workers compared to the controls. All of the spirometric parameters evaluated (FEV, FVC, FEV1/FVC and PEFR) were significantly lower in the study group than the control with p<0.05. The findings, indicate higher respiratory symptoms and worsening lung function of sawmill workers among high exposed group compared with category of sawmill workers with low exposure ( p<0.05), except for PEFR
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(p=0.156). The knowledge of the sawmill workers on occupational hazards was low, 61.7% of the respondents had poor knowledge, while 15.8% had good knowledge. The use of safety devices or gadgets was generally low and the major reason for non-use of personal protective equipment was unavailability of the equipment. The work environment of most of the sawmills visited were grossly inadequate and personal protective equipments were unavailable. The mean total suspended particulate for the sawmills and that of the noise level in the sawmill exceeded the set limits.
CONCLUSIONS : Sawmill workers experience various work related hazards and health problems. Socio-demographic factors were not found to influence presence of respiratory symptoms, but level of education had significant influence on lung function.
There is need for proper education of sawmill workers on a regular basis on the need to use personal protective equipments to safe guide their health. Periodic medical examination including lung function test should be carried out on regular basis for the early detection of those with respiratory impairment in order to institute prompt treatment and preventive
Title Page———i
Certification——–ii
Dedication———iii
Acknowledgement——-iv
Abstract ———vi
Table of Content——–vii
Chapter One
1.0 Introduction ——-1
1.1 Statement of Problem——4
1.2 Purpose of the Study——5
1.3 Significance of Study——8
1.4 Limitation——–9
1.5 Scope of Study——-11
Chapter Two
2.0 Review of Related Literature —-12
2.6 Summary of Literature Review—- 19
Chapter Three
3.0 Research Methodology and Procedure—22
3.1 Population ——–22
3.2 Sample and Sampling Technique—-22
3.3 Validation of the Instrument —-23
3.4 Reliability of the Instrument —–23
3.5 Data Analysis——-23
Chapter Four
4.0 Presentation and Discussion of Result—24
4.1 Analysis and interpretaion of Data—25
4.2 Discussion of Results——38
Chapter Five
5.0. Summary, Conclusion, and Recommendation –40
5.1 Summary——–40
5.2 Conclusion——–41
5.3 Recommendation——42
References ———45
Appendix 1——–47
Appendix ———50
