Chronic respiratory symptoms and associated factors among cement factory workers in Dejen town, Amhara regional state, Ethiopia, 2015

Abstract

Background: Chronic respiratory diseases represent a public health challenge in both industrialized and developing countries. Chronic respiratory symptoms are more prevalent in cement factories of developing countries, where occupational health and safety issues are less emphasized. This study was conducted to determine the prevalence and factors affecting chronic respiratory symptoms among workers in Dejen cement factory, 2015. Methods: Institution based cross sectional study was conducted among 404 randomly selected study participants. Data were collected through interviewer administered structured questions derived from British Medical Research Council (BMRC) adult respiratory symptom assessment questions and observational check lists for the assessment of dust exposure, hygienic practices and use of personal protective equipments. Multivariable logistic regression model was used to identify predictor variables which have association with chronic respiratory symptoms and finally the variables which had significant association were identified on the basis of Adjusted Odds Ratio (AOR) with 95 % Confidence Interval (CI) and p < 0.05 Results: The prevalence of chronic respiratory symptoms among Dejen cement factory workers was 62.9 %, with prevalence of chronic cough 24.5 %, chronic wheezing 36.9 %, chronic phlegm 24.5 %, chronic shortness of breath 38.6 %, and chest pain 21.0 %. Chronic respiratory symptoms were associated with sex (AOR = 2.07, 95 % CI = 1.18, 3.63), age (AOR = 4.20, 95 % CI = 1.94, 9.12), education level (AOR = 4.07,95 % CI = 1.86, 8.92), cement mill (AOR = 3.72, 95 % CI = 1.92, 7.21), burner and clinker (AOR = 2.28, 95 % CI = 1.18, 4.43), work experience (AOR = 5.44, 95 % CI = 3.09, 9.59), training on occupational safety and health (AOR = 2.73, 95 % CI = 1.41, 5.29), smoking (AOR = 5.38, 95 % CI = 1.42, 20.39) and chronic respiratory diseases (AOR = 7.79, 95 % CI = 2.02, 30.04). Conclusion: Chronic respiratory symptoms were highly prevalent among Dejen cement factory workers. Age, sex, education level, working department, smoking, work experience, and training were identified factors. Pre employment and on service training, smoking cessation programs, improving hygienic practices are important tasks in order to maintain the health and safety of workers.

Emission Level of PM2.5 and its Association With Chronic Respiratory Symptoms Among Workers in Cement Industry: A Case of Mugher Cement Industry, Central Ethiopia

“…Occupation-related respiratory symptoms are extensively abundant in Ethiopia, especially among cement production workers exposed to dusty environment, and these workers are not well informed about the harmful effect of work environment on their health (16). Chronic respiratory diseases represent a public health challenge in both industrialized and developing countries, being more prevalent in cement factories of developing countries, where occupational health and safety issues are less emphasized (17).…”

Chronic respiratory symptoms and pulmonary function status in Ethiopian agricultural workers: a comparative study

“…Chronic respiratory symptoms were defined as the development of one or more of the symptom (s) of chronic cough, chronic phlegm, chronic wheezing, chronic shortness of breath, and chronic chest tightness which last (s) at least 3 months in 1 year. Detail definitions of each respiratory symptom were published elsewhere [1,2] and used in this study. The modified Medical Research Council (mMRC) Dyspnoea Scale was used as a measure of dyspnoea severity, ranged from 0 to 4, being 0 indicated no breathlessness and 4 indicated too breathless to leave the house.…”

“…Chronic respiratory symptoms including chronic cough, phlegm, wheezing, shortness of breath, and chest tightness could be the manifestations of chronic respiratory diseases, which are mainly developed as a result of exposure to occupational hazards [1,2]. Occupational exposures to respiratory hazards remain significant contributors to the global burden of respiratory disease [3] and the burden of occupational respiratory diseases is increasing worldwide [4].…”

Characteristics, risk factors and histopathological types of bronchogenic carcinoma among cases presented to Chest Department, Al-Zahraa Hospital, Al-Azhar University

“…8 Chronic respiratory diseases represent a public health challenge in both industrialized and developing countries that are more prevalent in cement factories of developing countries, where occupational health and safety issues are less emphasized. 9 In low income countries, respiratory problems are the sixth cause of death and most of these problems are due to dust exposure associated with increasing cement factories. 10 Recent evidence suggests that inflammation and cancer are closely linked and a number of inflammatory diseases can predispose to cancer.…”