Abstract:
Background:The contribution of cement dust to air pollution is widely recognized, but
relatively few studies have looked at the respiratory health status of subjects living near
cement dust factories. Many studies have concentrated on the cement factory workers.
This study aimed at determining the pulmonary function and the prevalence of
respiratory symptoms among people living around Wazo Hill cement factory as
compared to those living far away from the factory.
Methods:A descriptive cross-sectional comparative study was done in which 775
subjects were studied. Three hundred and ninety two subjects living around Wazo Hill
cement factory formed the exposed group and 383 subjects living at Temeke SabaSaba,
37krn from Wazo Hill Cement factory formed the unexposed group. Interviewer
administered questionnaires were used to obtain sociodemographic characteristics and
history of respiratory symptoms. The pulmonary function indices of FVC, FEVI and
FEVI/FVC were obtained using a bedside microspirometer. The measurements of height
and weight were obtained from each subject.
Results: Of the total 775 individuals who met the inclusion criteria, there were 114 out
of 392 (29%) exposed subjects who had chronic cough as compared to 70 out of 383
(18.28%) unexposed and the difference was statistically significant (p < 0.01 ). The
exposed individuals had a significantly higher prevalence than controls for chronic
sputum production, wheeze, and chronic bronchitis with the prevalence of 41.8%,
21.9010, and 16% versus 1l%, 11.1% and 7.6% respectively
The exposed subjects had significantly lower FVC, FEVI and the ratio of FEVI to FVC,
than the unexposed adjusted for age, height and smoking.
Conclusions: This study has showed that people living around Wazo Hill cement
factory have a high risk of developing chronic respiratory symptoms as well as reduction
of their pulmonary function as compared to those living far away from the factory
