Assessment of pulmonary function among cleaners in governmental hospitals in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia; comparative cross-sectional study

Abstract

Objective Work-related disorders are the major causes of different diseases in working populations. Respiratory disorders are among the most common occupational diseases. The alterations of the pulmonary function of professional cleaners in hospitals have not been addressed previously in Ethiopia. The aim of this study was to assess the pulmonary functions of cleaners working in the hospital setting in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. A comparative cross-sectional study design was employed. The study was composed of 70 cleaners and 70 control subjects. Spirometer was used to measure pulmonary function. The data were coded, entered and analyzed using SPSS version 20. Results The mean and standard deviation of both actual value and percent predicted for forced vital capacity, forced expiratory volume in 1 s, percent ratio of forced vital capacity and forced expiratory volume in 1 s, peak expiratory flow rate and forced expiratory flow between 25 and 75% of cleaners were found to be significantly lower than the control group. Among cleaners 24.3% (n = 17) and controls 8.6% (n = 6) had shown obstructive lung disease, and among cleaners 22.9% (n = 16) and controls 4.3% (n = 3) had shown restrictive pattern.

Prevalence of obstructive lung patterns and actual spirometric result at different workplaces in Ethiopia: A systematic review and meta‐analysis

“…In this systematic review and meta‐analysis the prevalence of percentage of FEV 1 /FVC ratio<70% cases, FEV 1 value <80% (percentage predicted values) was observed. The lowest prevalence (3.5%) of obstructive lung patterns was reported in the study conducted in Addis Ababa and Butajira 11 and the higher prevalence (24.2%) of obstructive lung patterns was observed in Addis Ababa 2 . Eight studies were included for the estimation of the pooled prevalence of obstructive lung patterns in Ethiopia.…”

“…The SMD of FEF 25 %-75 % at 95% CI was −0.42 (−0.67,−0.17) and this shows a reduction of airway dimension in cases as compared to the controls. 1,2,4,10,12,24 One study shows there is insignificant change in cases as compared to the controls 9 (Figure 6).…”

“…The lowest prevalence (3.5%) of obstructive lung patterns was reported in the study conducted in Addis Ababa and Butajira 11 and the higher prevalence (24.2%) of obstructive lung patterns was observed in Addis Ababa. 2 Eight studies were included for the estimation of the pooled prevalence of obstructive lung patterns in Ethiopia.…”

“…Organic and inorganic dusts contained in the air particles are inspired and accumulated in the lung conducting and respiratory zone throughout the respiratory system. 1,2 Occupational exposure of dusts and chemicals causes the deposition of particles in the respiratory tract affecting the ventilation capacity of the lung. The airway problem happens due to the inspired dust particles that cause obstructive lung patterns.…”

Lung Function and Respiratory Health of Populations Living Close to Quarry Sites in Palestine: A Cross-Sectional Study

“…Among the control participants, none showed obstruction, and eight out of 79 showed restriction. Patterns of lung function among people exposed to dust have been mostly reported as obstruction or a combination of obstruction and restriction [ 28 , 37 , 38 ]. The obstructive pattern indicates a disease caused by the airway to be narrowed or blocked, making it difficult to exhale the air completely, as in asthma and COPD, while restrictive pattern indicates a disorder that makes it difficult to fill the lung completely with air because of interstitial lung problem such as lung fibrosis [ 39 ].…”