Dust exposure and Byssinosis among cotton textile workers in Dar es salaam

Abstract

Background: The Magnitude of byssinosis is significantly decreasing in developed countries with a current prevalence of 3% (1). Previous studies have reported an increase in prevalence (45%) of in developing countries (1–3). In Tanzania, there is little scientific information known about the prevalence of byssinosis. It is also not clear which risk factors are associated with because the last study in Tanzania was done almost 40 years ago in 1979 (4). Therefore, the aim of this study was to determine the magnitude and risk factors associated with byssinosis among textile workers, so as to develop effective control measures. Study objective: To assess dust exposure, the prevalence of byssinosis, factors associated with it, and lung function among cotton textile workers in Dar es Salaam Method: The study deployed a cross-sectional comparative study design. The study involved 325 participants 164 were from cotton textile industry (exposed) and 161 from drinking water bottling industry (unexposed). The questionnaire was used to assess byssinosis and respiratory symptoms.. EasyOne spirometer and personal sampling pump (SKC Sidekick pump) were used for lung function and dust data collection respectively. Results: The overall prevalence of byssinosis in the study population was 18.9% in the exposed group and 6.2% in the unexposed group. The department of weaving had higher dust level of arithmetic mean of 2.20 mg/m3 (SD =0.32) and geometric mean 2.14 mg/m3 (GSD=0.25) (mg/m3). The study showed that expected FEV% in normal, mild to moderate and severe were high proportion in exposed group compared to unexposed group and the difference was significant with p-value < 0.001.In assessing the risk factors working experience, previously respiratory symptoms and personal protective equipment had a statistically significant associated with byssinosis. vi Conclusion: In conclusion, this study found out that the prevalence of byssinosis and other respiratory symptoms were high among the exposed group (18.9%) compared to (6.2%) of unexposed group. Therefore, cotton dust level, should be reduced by improving the ventilation system of the industry and ensure the provision and use of appropriate personal protective equipment, this is best way to reduce the effect to workers.