We found a match
Your institution may have rights to this item. Sign in to continue.
- Title
Lung function impairment among charcoal workers in an informal occupational setting in Southern Nigeria.
- Authors
Obiebi, I. P.; Ibekwe, R. U.; Eze, G. U.
- Abstract
The production of charcoal is characterised by marked exposure to wood smoke which contains an array of harmful substances capable of causing irreparable damage to the respiratory system. This study was conducted to highlight the effect of inhaling wood smoke on the respiratory function of charcoal workers. This cross-sectional comparative study carried out in Sapele, Nigeria involved 296 participants: 148 wood charcoal workers and 1480 age, sex and height-matched controls. Lung function indices were measured and compared between groups. Analysis was done using SPSS version 22. Differences in lung function between charcoal workers and controls were compared using Student's paired t test for differences in means, McNemar's test and odds ratios. Multivariate analysis controlled for the effect of smoking, biomass use, height and agme. For the charcoal workers, mean forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1) was 1.99± 0.83 L which was 75% of predicted; mean forced vital capacity (FVC) was 2.39±0.93 L, about 76% of predicted; while mean FEV1/FVC was 83.26±12, about 99% of predicted. The mean values of FEV1 and FVC were significantly lower among charcoal workers. FEV1/FVC ratio was elevated in the charcoal workers compared with the controls. The prevalence of lung function impairment was higher in charcoal workers than in their controls; restrictive impairment was more prevalent in charcoal workers and the prevalence rate was almost twice that of controls (odds ratio (OR), 1.94). It is concluded that deficits in pulmonary function indices were more prevalent in charcoal workers compared with controls, and restrictive lung impairment was the predominant type. Although individualised exposure measurements were not performed, adoption of new work processes and health education would be beneficial to these workers.
- Subjects
RESPIRATORY disease prevention; CHARCOAL industry; PHYSIOLOGICAL effects of carbon monoxide; MULTIVARIATE analysis; OBSTRUCTIVE lung diseases
- Publication
African Journal of Respiratory Medicine, 2017, Vol 13, Issue 1, p8
- ISSN
1747-5597
- Publication type
Article