Respiratory Symptoms and Pulmonary Function Tests Among Wood Workers In Jimma Town, Southwest Ethiopia

Abstract

Background: Globally, 2.9 billion workers are exposed to hazardous risk at their workplaces; from this two million deaths are attributable to occupational diseases and injuries, while 4% of Gross Domestic Product (GDP) is lost due to occupational diseases and injuries. Wood dust is one of the most common sources of occupational exposures in the world. Health problem from wood dust inhalation results in decreased work output and increased respiratory morbidity. Despite the potentially hazardous nature of the woodwork, there is no any documented data collected on the state of respiratory health status and safety of wood workers in Ethiopia. Objective: The aim of the present study was to establish the effect of wood dust on the respiratory health status of woodworkers in Jimma town, Ethiopia, 2018. Method:A community basedcomparativecrossectional study was conducted between woodworkers and non-woodworkers in Jimma townon April 5 to May 3, 2018. Multistage random sampling technique was used to select the exposedstudy groupand convenience sampling technique was used to select the nonexposed group. A standardized structured questionnaire was used to evaluate the respiratory symptoms and pulmonary function test parameters. A total of 140 study participants were enrolled in the study. Data were checked for completeness and entered to SPSS version 20 for analysis. Descriptive statistics were computed and results were presented by numerical summary,tables, and graphs. Results: We found a higher prevalence of respiratory symptoms in woodworkers; with significant differences in cough, phlegm and chest pain compared to non-woodworkers.The prevalence respiratory symptoms between exposed to non-exposed groups were statistically significance difference cough (41.4% vs. 10%), phlegm (34.3% vs.14.3%), chest pain (32.9 vs 17.1) respectively. The present study also showed statistically significant reduction of mean pulmonary function tests values in woodworkers compared to their matched non-wood workers; FVC (litters)(3.19±.64 vs. 3.69±.57 p<0.001), FEV1 (litter) (2.70±0.66 vs. 3.23±0.44, p<0.001), PEFR (litter per second) (5.22±.1.63 vs. 6.01±1.59, p=0.005) and FEF25-75% (litter per second) (3.97±1.29 vs. 4.54±.99, p=0.006). The magnitude of ventilatory impairments were higher in exposed than non-exposed group which were restrictive disease (20% vs 6.8%), obstructive disease (17.1%, 5.7%) and mixed pattern of disease(7.1%, 0%) respectively. Conclusion and Recommendation:There was higher prevalence of respiratory symptoms and reduced lung function tests in woodworkers. All restrictive, obstructive and mixed lung disease patterns were highly prevalent among wood workers. More efforts should be exerted on preventive measures and awareness creation about wood dust-related respiratory health impacts