Abstract:
Background: Respiratory symptoms are manifestations of respiratory problems that are mainly
developed as the result of occupational exposures. They are more prevalent in developing
countries, where occupational health and safety issues are less emphasized. In Ethiopia there are
very few studies conducted on the respiratory health problems of cleaners working in higher
institutions.
Objective: The study was conducted to assess the prevalence of respiratory symptom and
associated factors among cleaners in Jimma University.
Methods: Cross sectional study was conducted from April 01 to 15, 2018. Simple random
sampling technique was used to select 426 study participants. Data was collected through
interviewer administered structured questionnaire adopted from British Medical Research
Council. Epi Data, SPSS and Microsoft Excel applications were used for data entry, analysis and
result presentation. Bivariate regression analysis was computed to select candidate variables for
multivariate logistic regression analysis. Multivariate logistic regression model was fitted by
using variables that had association (p < 0.25) with the dependent variable in bivariate analysis.
Result: The prevalence of respiratory symptom among Cleaners in Jimma University was 36.3%
(95% CI: (32%, 41%)). Multivariate analysis revealed that working in general service
department than in student dormitory [AOR=1.75, 95% CI: (1.02, 3.04)], not using dust mask
[AOR=2.34, 95% CI: (1.17, 4.69)], having no training on occupational health and safety
[AOR=2.93, 95% CI: (1.41, 6.08)], sleeping problem [AOR=2.17, 95% CI: (1.05, 4.50)], past
illness [AOR=2.84, 95% CI: (1.81, 4.45)], use of fuel gas than electricity [AOR=4.12, 95% CI:
(1.47, 11.5] were significantly associated factors with the respiratory symptom.
Conclusion: Respiratory symptom among cleaners was high. The working department, use of
dust mask, occupational health and safety training, sleeping problem, history of respiratory
illness and energy used at home were major contributing factors for the respiratory symptom to
occur. Therefore, wearing of dust mask among cleaners and provision of safety and health
training, including induction training during enrollment, at work is highly recommended.
