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

Abstract

Background: Work-related respiratory disorders are major contributors to the global burden of respiratory diseases. Agricultural workers are exposed to a number of dusts, which may contribute to the development of respiratory disorders. However, the knowledge about the prevalence of respiratory symptoms and pulmonary function status in African farmers was limited. This study was conducted to assess the prevalence of chronic respiratory symptoms and pulmonary function status of Ethiopian farmers exposed to farming activities. Methods: A community based comparative cross sectional study was conducted among 288 agricultural workers (farmers) aged 18 to 65 years and 288 control subjects (non-agricultural workers). Data were collected by interviewer administered structured questionnaires adopted from British Medical Research Council respiratory questionnaire and American Thoracic Society Division of Lung Diseases questionnaire. Moreover, all study participants underwent spirometry. Results: The prevalence of chronic respiratory symptoms was higher in farmers than in controls, with significant difference for cough (20.5% vs. 9.0%, p = 0.001) and phlegm (19.1% vs. 9.0%, p = 0.001). Chronic respiratory symptoms among farmers were significantly associated with duration of agricultural exposure (p = 0.014). The mean values of all spirometric parameters were lower in farmers than in controls with significant difference for FVC, FEV1, FEF 25% , FEF 50% , FEF 25-75% and PEFR. Moreover, the mean values of all spirometric parameters of farmers have found to be decreased with increased duration of workplace exposure. Lung function test results also showed a higher prevalence of obstructive (15.6% vs. 10.8%, p = 0.085) and restrictive type (12.8% vs. 3.1%, p < 0.001) of pulmonary function impairment in farmers than in controls. However, the difference was not significant for obstructive type of impairment. Conclusion: This study indicated that farmers are at high risk for the development of chronic respiratory symptoms and reduced pulmonary function indices. Hence, a comprehensive occupational safety practices are important to maintain the respiratory health of farmers.

Prevalence of obstructive lung patterns and actual spirometric result at different workplaces in Ethiopia: A systematic review and meta‐analysis

“…This kind of airflow problem needs appropriate preventive measures for people who are working in different dust-generating environments. 1,9,31,35…”

Pesticide use in agriculture and chronic health conditions: A survey-based cross-sectional study in Nepal

“…Chronic pesticide exposure could have induced asthma or aggravated previous asthma conditions and airway hyperresponsiveness. In the agricultural settings, numerous prior studies, for example, Hoppin et al (2007), Hernández et al (2011), Mamane et al (2015), and Woldeamanuel et al (2020) have found positive correlation between chronic pesticide exposure and chronic bronchitis. It is, however, important to acknowledge that chronic health conditions, which are non-transferable between individuals, result from many factors (Miranda et al, 2008;Aryal et al, 2015;Allen et al, 2020).…”

Time to be nosy: Evaluating the impact of environmental and sociocultural changes on maxillary sinusitis in the Middle Nile Valley (Neolithic to Medieval periods)

“…A number of particulates found in agricultural environments were hypothesised to have affected these rates, including pollen, fungal spores, moulds, dust produced by agriculture-related activities, and an exposure to allergens and pathogens from regular contact with animals (Lewis et al, 1995;Roberts, 2007;Roberts et al,1998). In modern clinical studies, the mixed organic and inorganic dusts produced by activities such as ploughing, tilling, harvesting, and winnowing crops, as well as the inhalation of dust, allergens, and endotoxins shed by animals in poorly ventilated buildings, have all been found to affect respiratory health (Iversen, et al, 2000;Kirkhorn & Garry, 2000;Pfister et al, 2018;Radon et al, 2001;Schenker, 2000;Woldeamanuel et al, 2020). In particular, farming activities which can cause inorganic mineral dust to be easily suspended in the air pose the greatest risk in dry climates (Schenker, 2000;.…”