Cotton dust exposure and self-reported respiratory symptoms among textile factory workers in Northwest Ethiopia: a comparative cross-sectional study

Sintayehu Daba Wami,Tadese Guadu,Bikes Destaw,Atalay Getachew,Awrajaw Dessie,Tesfaye Hambisa,Zemichael Gizaw,Daniel Haile Chercos,Dawit Getachew

doi:10.1186/s12995-018-0194-9

Sintayehu Daba Wami, Tadese Guadu + Show 7 more

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https://doi.org/10.1186/s12995-018-0194-9

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Abstract

BackgroundCotton dust induced respiratory disorders are dramatically increased over the globe, especially the problem is serious in developing countries. Respiratory symptoms, such as cough, phlegm, wheezing, shortness of breath, chest tightness, chronic bronchitis, and byssinosis are common among workers exposed to cotton dust. However, in Ethiopia, the magnitude of the problem is not well known and information is limited about the risk factors. Therefore, this study was aimed to assess the prevalence of respiratory symptoms and associated factors.MethodsA Comparative cross-sectional study design was employed. A total of 413 (276 exposed and 137 unexposed) participants were included in the study. Stratified and simple random sampling techniques were used to select exposed and unexposed groups to cotton dust respectively. Multivariable binary logistic regression analyses was performed to identify variables associated with respiratory symptoms and adjusted odds ratio (AOR) was used to determine the strength of associations. Significance level was obtained at 95% confidence interval (CI) and p-value ≤0.05.ResultsThe prevalence of self-reported respiratory symptoms was 47.8% (95% CI: 41.3, 53.7%) and 15.3% (95% CI: 9.6, 22.3%) among exposed and control groups respectively. Sex (AOR = 2.1, 95% CI: 1.29, 3.45), service year (AOR = 2.38, 95% CI: 1.19, 4.71) and ventilation (AOR = 2.4, 95% CI: 1.17, 4.91) were factors significantly associated with respiratory symptoms. Furthermore, working department such as; ginning (AOR = 5.1, 95% CI: 2.13, 12.16), spinning (AOR = 4.96, 95% CI: 2.18, 11.29), weaving (AOR = 5.9, 95% CI: 2.46, 14.27) and blowing working departments (AOR = 5.14, 95% CI: 1.4, 18.94) were significantly associated with respiratory disorders.ConclusionsThe prevalence of self-reported respiratory symptoms was higher among workers exposed to cotton dust than unexposed workers. Sex, service year, working department and work unit ventilation were predictor variables for respiratory symptoms. Thus, reducing exposure to dust, adequate ventilation and improving the hygiene of working departments are needed to reduce respiratory symptoms.

Highlights

Cotton dust induced respiratory disorders are dramatically increased over the globe, especially the problem is serious in developing countries
Exposure to the cotton dust led to respiratory problems, such as cough, phlegm, wheezing, shortness of breath, chest tightness, chronic bronchitis, and byssinosis [6,7,8]
We found that all of the workers did not use respirator, face shields, and other Personal protective equipment (PPE) to minimize cotton dust exposure

Summary

Introduction

Cotton dust induced respiratory disorders are dramatically increased over the globe, especially the problem is serious in developing countries. Respiratory symptoms, such as cough, phlegm, wheezing, shortness of breath, chest tightness, chronic bronchitis, and byssinosis are common among workers exposed to cotton dust. Exposure to the cotton dust led to respiratory problems, such as cough, phlegm, wheezing, shortness of breath, chest tightness, chronic bronchitis, and byssinosis [6,7,8]. Working in the department where there is higher exposure of cotton dust such as spinning and weaving and being aged were found to be the risk factors for respiratory problems related to cotton dust [10]

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