Prevalence and Factors associated with Respiratory Symptoms among Sawmill Workers in Sokoto State, North West, Nigeria

Abstract

Background: Dust exposure in sawmills predisposes workers to respiratory health problems with characteristic respiratory symptoms. This study assessed the prevalence and the factors associated with respiratory symptoms among sawmill workers in Sokoto state, North-West Nigeria. Methods: This was a cross-sectional study conducted in Sokoto State, Nigeria. A total of 360 respondents were recruited using a two-stage sampling technique. Data were collected using a pre-tested interviewer-administered questionnaire and analysed using IBM® SPSS version 23. Categorical data were presented using frequencies and percentages, while the Chi-square test was used to test for association between respiratory symptoms and socio-demographic/work variables. Binary logistic regression was used to assess predictors of respiratory symptoms. The level of significance was set at p<0.05. Results: The respondents' age ranged from 19 to 73 years, with a mean of 34.12 ± 10.2 years. A quarter 92 (25.6 %) of the workers smoked cigarettes. None of the workers had training on safety practices, and only a few 84 (23.3%) used personnel protective equipment (PPE). The most prevalent respiratory symptom was morning cough 164 (45.6%), followed by cough on exertion 143 (39.7%). Cigarette smoking (aOR = 3.96, 95%CI = 2.03-7.73, p <0.001) and loading of plank (aOR = 2.16, 95%CI = 1.21-3.85, p = 0.01) were the only predictors of respiratory symptoms. Conclusion: Periodic safety training and promotion of PPE use through education and advocacy and smoking cessation programs among sawmill workers will go a long way in reducing the burden of respiratory problems among them.