Effects of thorax correction exercise on flexed posture, physical performance, and psychosocial factors in community-dwelling older women with hyperkyphosis

Abstract

greater among those who are heavily exposed to inhalable dust generated in the agricultural environment. Studies from other countries have reported respiratory effects related to working in the poultry farm but there appears to be a dearth of published studies on the respiratory health and lung function indices of poultry workers in Nigeria. Purpose: This study was carried out to survey respiratory symptoms and selected lung function indices among poultry workers in Ibadan, Oyo State, Nigeria in order to assess the impact of the occupational exposure to poultry dust on their respiratory health. Methods:The cross sectional surveydesignwas used.The purposive sampling techniquewas used to recruit 150 poultry workers and 150 age-matched apparently healthy individuals not similarly exposed. St George Respiratory health questionnaire was used to collect information on respiratory symptoms. Lung function indices of Forced Vital Capacity (FVC), Forced Expiratory Volume in the first second (FEV1) and Peak Expiratory FlowRate (PEFR) were measured using standardized spirometry protocols. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics ofmean, standard deviation and percentage as well as inferential statistics of independent t-test and Chi-square. Results: Respiratory symptoms [cough (49.3% versus 35.3%), phlegm (56.0% versus 30.0%), shortness of breath (19.3% versus 4.7%), wheezing (7.3% versus 0.0%) and running nose (32.0% versus 11.3%)] were more prevalent among poultry workers than the control subjects. The mean lung function indices FEV1 (2.81 L versus 2.46 L), FVC (3.30 L versus 2.89 L) and PEFR (425.50 L/min versus 384.20 L/min) were significantly higher among the apparently healthy subjects (p< 0.05) and there was a significant (p< 0.05) negative association betweenFVCof poultryworkers and year of engagement in poultry work. Conclusion(s): It was concluded that respiratory symptoms were more prevalent among poultry workers and they have poorer lung function indices (FEV1, FVC and PEFR) compared to the age-matched apparently healthy subjects. The longer the period of engagement in poultrywork themore the FVC declines and the symptoms especially of running nose grew worse. Implications: Poultry dust exposure poses an adverse consequence on the respiratory health of workers. There is need for regular medical examinations and implementation of appropriate measures to prevent the adverse respiratory effects of this workplace exposure. Appropriate health education of workers concerning poultry dust and respiratory protective equipment use is essential and physiotherapists as acknowledgedmembers of the occupational health teamneed to be knowledgeable and skilful in the use of effective health education models to impact on workers health behaviour.