RESPIRATORY SYMPTOMS, VENTILATORY FUNCTION AND BIOMASS FUEL EXPOSURE: A COMPARATIVE STUDY OF GARRI PROCESSING WORKERS AND PETTY TRADERS IN ODOGBOLU LOCAL GOVT. AREA, OGUN STATE.

  • : Ms Word, Ms Word Format
  • : 700 Pages
  • : ₦5,000
  • : 1-5 Chapters
  •  
  • Click to DOWNLOAD Materials
RESPIRATORY SYMPTOMS, VENTILATORY FUNCTION AND BIOMASS FUEL EXPOSURE: A COMPARATIVE STUDY OF GARRI PROCESSING WORKERS AND PETTY TRADERS IN ODOGBOLU LOCAL GOVT. AREA, OGUN STATE.

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: Exposure to pollutants present in biomass smoke is believed to be a risk factor for a number of respiratory disorders. The World Bank estimates that air pollution from biomass combustion is responsible for almost 50% of the total disease burden in developing countries. The aim of this study is to compare prevalence of respiratory symptoms and ventilatory function in garri processing workers who are exposed to particulate matter from biomass fuel while at work with those of petty traders in Odogbolu LGA and also compare the levels of particulate matter at the workplaces of both groups of women.
METHODS: A comparative cross-sectional design was used. Sample size was calculated using the formula for comparison of proportions of two independent groups. Sampling was multistage sampling. An interviewer administered questionnaire was used to collect information from 264 garri processors and 264 petty traders. The respiratory symptoms assessed among the two groups were cough, phlegm, wheezing and breathlessness. Biomass exposure index (BEI) was calculated for the garri processors. Spirometry was performed on respondents following the American Thoracic Society (ATS) guidelines. Particulate matter (PM) sampling was done at the garri processing work places and the petty traders market stalls. Ethical approval was obtained from the LUTH ethics committee and informed consent was obtained from each participant. Data analysis was done using SPSS 20.0. Chi square and Fishers exact tests were used for comparison of proportions and the Student t test for comparison of means. Multiple logistic regression was done to assess the relationship between predictors and outcome variables. P – value of < 0.05 was considered statistically significant.
RESULTS: The garri processors were exposed to PM levels that exceeded set limits while the levels at the petty traders markets were below the limits. Prevalence of respiratory symptoms was also higher among the garri processors compared to the petty traders. One year prevalence of cough was 22.7% and 9.5% among the garri processors and petty traders respectively (p<0.001), chronic bronchitis 5.7% in garri processors and 2.3% in petty traders (p=0.045), phlegm 23.1% in garri processors and 11% in petty traders, wheezing 10.2% in garri processors and 5.3% in petty traders (p=0.05), breathlessness 36% in garri processors and 30.7% in petty traders (p=0.230). All the ventilatory function parameters were statistically significantly lower in the garri processors compared to the petty traders. The mean values in garri processors were Forced Vital Capacity (FVC), 2.11+0.37 litres, Forced Expiratory Volume in one second (FEV1) 1.58+0.38 litres, FEV1/FVC% 74.12+7.55%, Peak Expiratory Flow Rate (PEFR) 3.92+0.76 litres/s and the values in petty traders were, FVC 2.19+0.28 litres, FEV1 1.72+0.26 litres, FEV1/FVC% 78.34+5.05% and PEFR 4.16+0.55 litres/s. Prevalence of obstructive ventilatory pattern among the garri processors was 21.3% compared to 6.4% in petty traders (p<0.001). The factors found to predict development of an obstructive ventilatory abnormality were burning biomass fuel in garri processing (OR 6.101, CI 3.212-11.590), age group 50 years – 60 years (OR 6.805, CI 1.764 – 26.235) and working as a garri processor for > 10 years (OR 14.916, CI 5.077-43.820).
CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION: The high prevalence of respiratory symptoms and the low ventilatory function indices observed in the garri processors may be related to the high levels of PM exposure from biomass fuel use at work. It is recommended that the owners of the garri processing plants look into the possibility of replacing biomass fuel with more efficient fuel options. They should also segregate the biomass smoke emitting processes from those that do not involve biomass burning. Health education is also recommended on use of personal protective equipment (PPE) and health surveillance in the form of periodic medical examinations at primary health centers.

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

RESPIRATORY SYMPTOMS, VENTILATORY FUNCTION AND BIOMASS FUEL EXPOSURE: A COMPARATIVE STUDY OF GARRI PROCESSING WORKERS AND PETTY TRADERS IN ODOGBOLU LOCAL GOVT. AREA, OGUN STATE.

Sharing is caring!

Leave a Reply