Comparison of forced expiratory volume among the smokers and non-smokers in brick kiln workers

Abstract

Background: Smoking is a common habit prevalent both in urban and rural areas. It has an impact on the impairment of Lung function. Pulmonary function test is a routine procedure for the assessment and monitoring of the Respiratory diseases. This study was undertaken to see the effect of smoking on lung function. The objectives were to compare the effect of smoking on pulmonary function test (FEV1) among the smokers and non-smokers men working in brick kiln factory. Methods: The study was carried out in three brick factories which comes under the purview urban health training center, Agara Rajarajeswari medical college, Bangalore .It is a cross sectional study conducted for two months. Study participants include all adult men aged above 19 years working in the brick factory. The sample technique & size were 100 subjects with purposive sampling. Data Collection: Using Pre-designed questionnaire, information on Socio-demographic profile, history of Smoking, anthropometric measurements height, weight, FEV1 recording using Wrights Peak Flow Meter. Data analysis used was SPSS v19. Results: Mean FEV1 among the smokers was 2.13±1.00 and 2.40±0.51 among the non- smokers; FEV1 was ranging between 150-300 liters in 88.9% of those who had smoked for more than 10yrs of duration, FEV1 value among the smokers was reduced compared to non –smokers, which was statistically significant (p<0.05.). Significant association was found with duration of smoking and the reduction of FEV1 values. Conclusions: Smoking causes reduction of FEV1 values, which was significant among the smokers than the Non-smokers.