Respiratory symptoms amongst females in a fishing settlement in the Niger Delta, Nigeria

Abstract

BackgroundApproximately half of the earth's population in the rural areas of developing countries uses energy obtained from biomass burning, which is harmful to people.ObjectivesThis study is aimed at determining which respiratory symptoms can be associated with biomass burning amongst fish smokers in the Oyorokoto fishing settlement.MethodA community-based, cross-sectional questionnaire, which employed a modified cluster sampling technique, was used.ResultsA total of 300 subjects were recruited for the study, of which 210 (70%) were fish smokers. The mean age was 31.46 ± 13.03 years, with the majority (42.0%) having only primary school education. The prevalence of respiratory symptoms amongst the subjects was 86.7%, the most frequent of which were catarrh (30.48%) and a cough (28.57%). The respiratory symptom occurring least frequently was breathlessness (2.38%). The symptoms most often experienced during fish smoking were those of catarrh (75.5%) and sneezing (73.0%), whereas breathlessness occurred the least, in only 7 (3.3%) of the participants. Sneezing stopped in 64.2% of the subjects after fish smoking had ceased. Most of the fish smoking took place indoors.ConclusionHealth promotion featuring preventive interventions, such as the wearing of face-masks and the use of modern fish smoking methods, which is associated with fewer health risks, is essential to improving the quality of life of fish smokers. The government's provision of certain social services, including better education opportunities for the young, is advocated, and should be especially targeted at improving the lot of the girl child.

Occupational Exposure to Particulate Matter from Biomass Smoke and Its Relationship to Respiratory Symptoms and Pulmonary Function among Rural Women Involved in Cassava Processing in Nigeria

“…A study conducted in Ekiti state Nigeria found that women using biomass fuel reported more respiratory symptoms compared to those that did not cook with biomass fuel [9]. Another study conducted among females occupationally exposed to biomass fuel while smoking fish in Oroyokoto village in the Niger Delta region of Nigeria also showed that the exposed women reported more respiratory symptoms compared to their controls [7]. These findings indicate that even in occupational settings, biomass burning seemed to pose a higher risk of respiratory symptoms among exposed compared to the non-exposed.…”

“…Females aged between 13 years and 60 years, who had been in the occupation for at least 12 consecutive months prior to the study were included in the study [7] [8] [9]. We excluded those with a previous history of pulmonary tuberculosis, known case of bronchial asthma, obvious skeletal abnormalities of the chest, pregnancy, previous history of work in a dusty environment and past or present history of smoking.…”

Respiratory effects of biomass fuel combustion on rural fish smokers in a Nigerian fishing settlement: a case control study

“…20 A matched control for age, weight and height of individuals not involved in the fish smoking was also recruited for every fish smoker enlisted in the study. Matching of the controls for the variables was done to eliminate their confounding effect on PEFR.…”

“…In a previous study by Akani et al on respiratory symptoms in this fishing settlement, a cross sectional design which has some limitations was used. 20 In an attempt to address some of these limitations, this case control study was designed to determine the prevalence of respiratory symptoms and assess the lung function of fish smokers in this fishing settlement in Andoni local government area of the Rivers State, Nigeria. We hypothesize that there is no difference in respiratory symptoms and lung function between fish smokers and others who are not so exposed to biomass combustion.…”

Psychological Distress in Women with Chronic Bronchitis in a Fishing Community in the Niger Delta Region of Nigeria

“…Fewer still have evaluated this association among rural people exposed to indoor air pollution from fish drying [16, 17] but none of them have examined the psychological distress that may be associated with long-term exposure to indoor air pollution.…”