L’asthme professionnel dans un pays africain sub-saharien : le Sénégal

Abstract

Objectives To identify all cases of occupational asthma in the literature and/or recognized as an occupational disease by the Social Security Fund of Senegal and analyze the various obstacles related to diagnosis and medicolegal aspects. Means and methodology The identification of cases of occupational asthma was based on the tables of occupational diseases, statistics available at the social security fund and publications available at the level of bibliographic databases Pubmed and Hinari WHO. Results The inter-ministerial decree no. 6048 of 21 July 1991 tables of occupational diseases, comprises 67 panels of which 12 are devoted to occupational asthma. In terms of available statistics on occupational diseases, the social security fund has acknowledged 36 cases of occupational asthma on the basis of table no. 39 in 83.3% ( n = 30), no. 38 in Table 8, 3% ( n = 3) and tables 15, 35 and 57 with 2.8% ( n = 1). The literature reports three publications on occupational asthma to knowing two cases due to latex among healthcare staff officiating in five hospitals in Dakar, a case of organic isocyanate in an automobile painter and one case resulting from exposure to sulfur dioxide. The etiologic agents responsible are by order of importance ammonia, occupational allergens, nickel, aromatic amines and organic isocyanates. At the clinical phenotype, an asthma induced by irritants is noted in 83.3% ( n = 30) and occupational asthma-type immunologic in 16.7% ( n = 6). On the medicolegal, 97.3% ( n = 36), cases have been identified in a declaration and recognition in social security fund. Conclusion Occupational asthma in Senegal is characterized by an under-diagnosis and under-reporting, consequences of violations from the state, health organizations and workplace safety, health professionals and social partners in the workplace. This situation shows the need for advocacy, awareness, education and communication on the various obstacles noted in the management of this disease.