Influence of Varying Degree of Wood Dust Exposure on Pulmonary Function and Respiratory Symptoms among Wood Workers in Kano, North Western Nigeria. 2020

Nafisa Yusuf Wali
Bayero University Kano. antimammi@yahoo.com.

One of the major occupation-related health challenges encountered by wood workers is respiratory disorder, which usually results from breathing in noxious or toxic chemicals such as wood dust. The aim of this study is to evaluate the respiratory functions and symptoms among wood workers exposed to varying degrees of wood dust in Kano, Nigeria.  This descriptive cross-sectional study was carried out among 370 randomly selected wood workers in Kano wood market. Lung function test was performed, while semi-structured interviewer administered questionnaire was used to rate respiratory symptoms. The study demonstrated that there was low percentage predicted force expiratory volume at one minute (PPFEV1) and percentage predicted ratio of FEV1 and FVC, whereas, the percentage predicted forced vital capacity (PPFVC) of the respondents across all age groups remained unchanged. Similarly, a negative correlation was observed between degree of exposure to the hazards and lung function of the workers (r = -0.655, P-Value = 0.0001). A statistically significant association existed between exposure to wood dust and respiratory symptoms, thereby contributing to the observed manifestation of respiratory symptoms such as chronic cough, corrhiza, breathlessness and wheezing among 61% of wood dust exposed workers. Keywords: Wood workers, Wood dust, Occupational hazard, Lung function, Respiratory symptoms.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
D008168 Lung Either of the pair of organs occupying the cavity of the thorax that effect the aeration of the blood. Lungs
D009549 Nigeria A republic in western Africa, south of NIGER between BENIN and CAMEROON. Its capital is Abuja. Federal Republic of Nigeria
D003430 Cross-Sectional Studies Studies in which the presence or absence of disease or other health-related variables are determined in each member of the study population or in a representative sample at one particular time. This contrasts with LONGITUDINAL STUDIES which are followed over a period of time. Disease Frequency Surveys,Prevalence Studies,Analysis, Cross-Sectional,Cross Sectional Analysis,Cross-Sectional Survey,Surveys, Disease Frequency,Analyses, Cross Sectional,Analyses, Cross-Sectional,Analysis, Cross Sectional,Cross Sectional Analyses,Cross Sectional Studies,Cross Sectional Survey,Cross-Sectional Analyses,Cross-Sectional Analysis,Cross-Sectional Study,Cross-Sectional Surveys,Disease Frequency Survey,Prevalence Study,Studies, Cross-Sectional,Studies, Prevalence,Study, Cross-Sectional,Study, Prevalence,Survey, Cross-Sectional,Survey, Disease Frequency,Surveys, Cross-Sectional
D004391 Dust Earth or other matter in fine, dry particles. (Random House Unabridged Dictionary, 2d ed) House Dust,Housedust,Dust, House
D006801 Humans Members of the species Homo sapiens. Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D014934 Wood A product of hard secondary xylem composed of CELLULOSE, hemicellulose, and LIGNANS, that is under the bark of trees and shrubs. It is used in construction and as a source of CHARCOAL and many other products. Woods
D016273 Occupational Exposure The exposure to potentially harmful chemical, physical, or biological agents that occurs as a result of one's occupation. Exposure, Occupational,Exposures, Occupational,Occupational Exposures

Related Publications

Nafisa Yusuf Wali
January 1996, International archives of occupational and environmental health,
Nafisa Yusuf Wali
September 1996, American journal of industrial medicine,
Nafisa Yusuf Wali
December 2002, Journal of occupational and environmental medicine,
Nafisa Yusuf Wali
July 1985, Journal of occupational medicine. : official publication of the Industrial Medical Association,
Nafisa Yusuf Wali
January 2008, Nigerian journal of medicine : journal of the National Association of Resident Doctors of Nigeria,
Nafisa Yusuf Wali
January 2017, Lung India : official organ of Indian Chest Society,
Copied contents to your clipboard!