In SSI in Tanzania, our study suggests that workers have high levels of exposure to multiple health hazards and that use of protective equipment is poor. This group of workers warrants improved occupational health and safety provision.

Workers in small-scale wood industries (SSWI) have increased risks of developing asthma and other respiratory diseases. Wood dust and microbial agents have both been suggested to play a role, but few studies have measured endotoxin exposure in SSWI in Africa. We assessed inhalable dust levels in 281 samples from 115 workers and bacterial endotoxins levels in 157 samples from 136 workers from SSWI in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. The overall geometric mean of personal exposure was 3.3 mg/m 3 ; geometric standard deviation (GSD) 2.5; range 0.45-67.0 mg/m 3 ) and 91 EU/m 3 (GSD 3.7; range 9-4914.8 EU/m 3 ) for wood dust and endotoxins, respectively. Dust and endotoxin levels were weakly correlated (r ¼ 0.44, n ¼ 157, Po0.0001). Betweenand within-worker variances and percentages explained by the differences among job titles and seasons were 0.31 (9%) and 0.35 (30%), respectively, for wood dust exposure, and 0.35 (0%) and 0.35 (38%) for endotoxin exposure. Higher dust and endotoxin exposure levels were observed in the dry compared to the wet season, after correcting for differences in exposure between jobs. Carving and manual cleaning were associated with the highest dust exposures. Sewing seat covers and manual cleaning were associated with the highest endotoxin exposures. Dust and endotoxin exposure levels in SSWI are high and appropriate control measures are necessary.

Few studies have assessed respiratory symptoms and dust exposure levels in small-scale wood industry (SSWI) workers in Africa We interviewed 546 workers exposed to wood dust and 565 control subjects using a respiratory health questionnaire Inhalable dust measurements were collected for 106 workers The dust exposure was high, and job title-based geometric mean exposure levels ranged from 2 9-22 8 mg/m 3 Prevalence of respiratory symptoms in the previous 12 months was significantly higher in the exposed group compared to the nonexposed office workers Allergy and sensitivity symptoms were reported regularly in the exposed group with Odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) varying from 2 4 (95% CI = 1 8-3 1) for low-to 2 7 (1 8- 4 0) for high-exposure groups compared with controls We conclude that working m the small-scale wood industry in Tanzania is associated with an increased prevalence of respiratory symptoms

Background: Small scale sunflower oil industries are industries which extract oil from sunflower seed. Apart from its contribution to the economic development of the nation, during extraction process much dust concentration produced and respiratory symptoms are unknown. The aim of study was to assess dust exposure and associated respiratory health symptoms among small scale sunflower oil industries workers in Singida Tanzania. Methods: A cross sectional study was conducted and 233 participants were interviewed using a modified American Thoracic Society questionnaire to assess the respiratory health symptoms. A Side Kick Casella Pump was used to collect respirable dust from a sub sample of 66 workers from the sieving section. Results: Respirable dust exposure levels for mean, and Geometrical mean was 10.45 mg/m3 (SD 13.90) and GM=5.25 mg/m3 (GSD 0.51) respectively, and 46% of the dust samples (n=66) were above the TLV of 5 mg/m3. Logistic regression analysis between measured dust and respiratory symptoms found to be statistically significant.  Higher prevalence of respiratory health symptoms were seen in those with cough (33%), cough with phlegm (46.8%) and wheezy (41.6%). Conclusion: The study concludes that, respiratory symptoms were high and dust exposure was above recommended levels of 5 mg/m3. We recommend use of appropriate RPE.

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Background: The Kigamboni Municipality has been experiencing recurrences of Cholera outbreaks. Objectives: The objective of this study was to evaluate knowledge, attitude and practices associated with Cholera transmission and prevention measures. Method: A cross section descriptive study was adopted. A multistage sampling was used to select 410 respondents. An Interview schedule was used to obtain respondents opinions. Statistical Package for Social Sciences software version 20.0 was used to generate descriptive statistics which were further summarized into contingency tables. Results: Results indicate that the most study population (70.2%) had knowledge on causes, symptoms and the modes of transmission of Cholera. It was also found out that communities treat drinking water to make it safe (76.8%) and are regular in hand washing with soap (80.9%). The result also indicates that the community is willing to vaccination (90%) and to adopting the Cholera prevention measures (92.7%).  Conclusions and recommendations: The supply of pure water and adequate sanitation may serve as the prevention measures against the Cholera outbreak recurrences at Kigamboni Municipality.

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Background: House painters are increased as people prefer to live in good and decorated houses. Mishandling of paints and inhalation of paint materials become a problem as this paints contain chemicals which are poisonous upon inhalation. However, few studies have assessed respiratory symptoms among house painters in the Africa. The main objective of this study was to assess respiratory symptoms and associated factors among house painters. Methods: We used a questionnaire to interview 172 house painters and 148 non exposed group in different construction sites. A sub sample of 25 house painters was evaluated for lung function using EasyOne spirometer Results: The study revealed significant results when respiratory symptoms were compared among painters and non-exposed group (p<0.05). Low level of knowledge among workers and poor use of PPE were the main factors associated with exposed to paints. Protection of those workers would be only successfully if enforcement policy is enacted about every site to provide personal protective equipment (PPE) to workers. Conclusion: House painters are exposed to different painting materials and therefore appropriate measures are recommended.