Comparative Cross-Sectional Study on Pulmonary Function Status among Petrol Filling Workers in Jimma Town South West Ethiopia, 2018

Abstract

Background: Petroleum is a complex mixture of hydrocarbons which has marked effect on human health especially on respiratory system due to high accessibility and excellent absorption surface of respiratory system. Exposure to petroleum may lead to decrements in pulmonary function and number of clinical signs and symptoms. However, there is no published data available to assess pulmonary function status among petrol filling workers in Ethiopia. Objective: To Assess Pulmonary Function Status among Petrol Filling Workers in Jimma Town South West Ethiopia, 2018. Materials and Methods: Comparative cross-sectional study was conducted among a total of 132 study participants (66 petrol fill workers and 66 controls) from April 2 to May 2, 2018. Ethical clearance was obtained. An interviewer administered pre-tested structured questionnaire (BMRC) was used to collect data. Anthropometric measurements were carried out. Pulmonary function was measured using portable digital spirometer. SPSS version 20.0 was used for data analysis. Frequencies, means, percentage and chi-square were used for descriptive analysis. Independent sample t-test was used to compare mean and logistic regression was used to assess relevant associations. From multivariate logistic regression, independent variables having a pvalue <0.05 at 95% CI were considered as statistically significant. Results: The mean age of petrol filling workers and non-exposed group were 29.12 ± 8.40 and 29.21 ± 6.51 respectively. The mean BMI among petrol filling workers was 22.90 ± 2.47 while it was 23.37 ± 2.55 in non-exposed group. Among Petrol filling workers the mean and standard deviation of 3.56 ± 0.70 for FVC (L), 2.87 ± 0.77 for FEV (L),, 80.40 ± 11.36 for FEV1 %, 3.77 ± 1.09 for FEF25-75%(L/S) and 6.60 ± 1.90 for PEFR (L/S) was recorded while 3.95 ± 0.77 for FVC, 3.33± 0.68 for FEV1, 84.38 ± 9.19 for FEV1 %, 4.33 ± 1.15 for FEF25-75 % and 7.55 ± 2.31 for PEFR were recorded among controls. A significant reduction (p<0.05) was found in the above pulmonary function parameters among petrol filling workers compared to non-exposed group. The prevalence of lung function impairment is 37.9% and 15.2% among petrol fill workers and controls respectively. The predominant ventilatory impairment found in this study is restrictive. The study revealed the of prevalence of cough, phlegm, wheeze, breathlessness and chest pain was 39.4%, 22.7%, 30.3%, 19.7% and 16.7% for petrol filling workers respectively while 21.2%, 13.1%, 15.2%, 6.1% and 12.1% for non-exposed respectively. Petrol filling workers who worked for greater than 5 years were six times (AOR=6.321; 95%CI=2.100, 19.022) more likely to have lung function impairment compared to those who worked for less than or equal to 5 years. Conclusion: This study concluded that petrol filling workers are at greater risk of pulmonary function impairment than non-exposed group. A Significant reduction was observed in the mean values of FVC, FEV1, FEV1%, PEFR and FEF25-75% in petrol filling workers compared nonexposed group. Duration of exposure was found to be factor for impaired pulmonary function. The prevalence of cough, phlegm, wheeze, breathlessness and chest pain was higher among petrol filling workers compared to non-exposed group.