Dust exposure and byssinosis among cotton textile workers in Dar es salaam, Tanzania

Abstract

Background: Cotton dust exposure increases the risk of developing lung diseases including Byssinosis. The prevalence of byssinosis is more in developing countries compare to developed countries. For the past forty years there are little information known about the prevalence of byssinosis and its associated risk factors among textile workers in Tanzania. Objective: The study aimed to assess dust exposure and associated risk factors among textile workers, in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. Material and methods: The study design was descriptive cross sectional study conducted from March to August 2019. Stratified sampling technique was used to obtain 325 participants (exposed 164 and control 161) respectively. A modified British Medical Research Council (BMRC) questionnaire and Side Kick Casella Pump were used for data collection. Data were analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Science software 23 versions. Chi square test and Binary logistic regression were performed to check for association. A 95% confidence Interval with a significance expressed in P˂0.05 was used. Results: Prevalence of byssinosis in the exposed group was 18.9% and 6.2% in the control group. Respiratory symptoms such as Coughing more days in three consecutive months (P˂0.001), wheezing (P˂0.02), dyspnoea I (P˂0.03), dyspnoea II (P˂0.007), and dyspnoea III (P˂0.002), were higher among exposed group compare to control group and the differences were statistically significant. The department of weaving had higher dust level of arithmetic mean of 2.20 mg/m3 (SD =0.32). Working experience (P˂0.02), previously respiratory symptoms (P˂0.001), were significant risk factors for byssinosis. Conclusion: In conclusion, our study shows that workers who are exposed cotton dust have higher prevalence of byssinosis and other respiratory symptoms. Awareness of the byssinosis disease, and necessary preventive measure need to be highlighted among stakeholders.

Chest Tightness and Chronic Cough; Respiratory Symptoms Among Home-Based Textile Industry Workers

“…Chest tightness was found to be 22.5% whereas chronic cough was found to be 43% in the same study, quite comparable to the results of the current study (16). Studies conducted in Tanzania (chronic cough P<0.001) and Ethiopia (chest tightness and chronic cough 33% and 23%) (5,7). These results are comparable to the current study, where chest tightness is reported at 23.8% and chronic cough at 18.7%.…”

“…Prolonged and repeated exposure to cotton dust causes a disturbance in the lung macrophage: dendritic cell ratio leading to persistent inflammation in the lungs (4). Hence byssinosis and respiratory symptoms are common among textile workers (5). These respiratory symptoms include chronic cough, chest tightness, wheezing, phlegm, breathlessness, and dyspnea (6,7).…”

Byssinosis and lung health among cotton textile workers: baseline findings of the MultiTex trial in Karachi, Pakistan

“…on February The low prevalence of byssinosis we observed may, further, reflect relatively low levels of dust in the study mills since these were generally lower than those reported from other LMICs using the same gravimetric method for personal monitoring. [23][24][25] Our estimates are similar to those reported by studies conducted among Lancashire textile workers in the UK at the end of 20th century. 1 26 Both the low prevalence of byssinosis and low dust levels may reflect some undocumented improvements in Karachi mills since there appears to be a gradual decline in disease prevalence during the last decade.…”

“…The low prevalence of byssinosis we observed may, further, reflect relatively low levels of dust in the study mills since these were generally lower than those reported from other LMICs using the same gravimetric method for personal monitoring 23–25. Our estimates are similar to those reported by studies conducted among Lancashire textile workers in the UK at the end of 20th century 1 26.…”