Prevalence of Respiratory Symptom and Associated Factors among Cleaners in Jimma University, Southwest Ethiopia

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.