A COMPARATIVE STUDY OF THE EFFECT OF EXPOSURE TO OUTDOOR AIR POLLUTION ON PULMONARY FUNCTION INDICES AND RESPIRATORY TRACT SYMPTOMS IN PRIMARY SCHOOL CHILDREN LIVING IN SAGAMU AND ODOGBOLU, OGUN STATE

Abstract

Outdoor air pollution is a major environmental health problem confronting many
developed and developing countries. Cement dust pollution was used as a prototype of outdoor air
pollution in this study. The cement industry contributes significantly to the poor outdoor air quality
in any community where they are located. The most important pollutants emitted during cement
production are particulate matter and other gaseous compounds. Exposure of inhabitants of the
host community to these pollutants constitute an enormous environmental health hazards, which
may be associated with increased risk of respiratory morbidity and mortality.
The objective of this study was to compare the pattern of respiratory tract symptoms and
pulmonary function indices of cement dust exposed primary school children from Sagamu, with
unexposed primary school children from Odogbolu.
This was a comparative cross sectional study carried out in Sagamu and Odogbolu local
Government Area of Ogun State, Southwestern Nigeria. A purposive sampling technique was used
and a semi-structured, interviewer administered questionnaire was employed in collecting relevant
information from the participants. Data analysis was done using SPSS version 20.00. Data was
subjected to multivariate analysis using multiple logistic regression model, respiratory symptoms
and lung function indices were the dependent variable, while socio-demographic, housing, indoor
and outdoor exposure characteristics were the independent variables.
Eight hundred and forty four primary school pupils aged between six and ten years old,
comprising of 414 (49%) males and 430 (51%) females were studied. The mean age of subjects
was 8.12 ± 1.44 years, while that of controls was 8.31 ± 1.41 years.
Subjects mean FEV1, FEV1/FVC, FEF25-75, and PEFR were 1.17± 0.38 liters, 89.71 ± 11.02
%, 1.72 ± 0.69 liters per seconds and 170.73 ± 58.14 liters per seconds respectively, while for
controls it was 1.23 ± 0.31L, 94.47 ± 6.87%, 2.07 ± 0.56L/s and 183.80 ± 52.14L/s respectively.
Subjects FEV1, FEV1/FVC, FEF25-75 and PEFR values were significantly (P = 0.003; 0.000; 0.000; 0.001) lower than values for the controls. Subject’s mean FVC (1.33 ± 0.52L) and controls mean FVC (1.32 ± 0.36L) were however not significantly different from each other (P= 0.693).
The prevalence of the following respiratory symptoms among subjects were significantly
(P = 0.000) higher than those for controls; sinus problems (56.4% vs 27.3%), nasal problems
(41.0% vs 28.7%), redness of the eyes (27.8% vs 16.8%), dry cough most days (28.4% vs 7.8%),
cough and phlegm most days (25.4% vs 7.3%), shortness of breath with mild exertion (38.4% vs
16.1%), wheezing with or without colds (33.4% vs 22.5%).
Attending schools in the vicinity of the cement plant (aOR = 6.22, 95%C.I = 3.66-10.56),
participants age between 9 & 10 years (aOR = 0.69, 95%C.I = 0.48-0.99), being a male participants
(aOR = 2.08, 95%C.I = 1.44-2.99), belonging to socioeconomic class IV – V (aOR = 2.29, 95%C.I
= 1.45-3.61), positive history of allergy (aOR = 2.68, 95%C.I = 1.40-5.13), exposure to dust from
untarred roads (aOR = 1.75, 95%C.I = 1.13-2.68), smoke from petrol engines (aOR = 3.07, 95%C.I
= 2.14-4.41), smoke from diesel engines (aOR = 1.67, 95%C.I = 1.01-2.72), exposure to tobacco
smoke (aOR = 2.59, 95%C.I = 1.36-4.94), smoke from cooking with charcoal (OR = 2.34, 95%C.I
= 1.23-4.44), and presence of rats (OR = 1.79, 95%C.I = 1.21-2.66) in the home were predictors
of respiratory symptoms and low pulmonary function indices.
Cement dust exposed primary school pupils had significantly lower pulmonary function
indices and higher prevalence of respiratory symptoms, when compared with their unexposed
primary school pupils from Odogbolu. The management of the cement plant must adopt modern
dust recovery technologies in their production processes. Schools and homes must be relocated
away from the immediate vicinity of the factory, so that a buffer zone can be created.

A COMPARATIVE STUDY OF THE EFFECT OF EXPOSURE TO OUTDOOR AIR POLLUTION ON PULMONARY FUNCTION INDICES AND RESPIRATORY TRACT SYMPTOMS IN PRIMARY SCHOOL CHILDREN LIVING IN SAGAMU AND ODOGBOLU, OGUN STATE