Household Air Pollution and Respiratory Symptoms of Women and Children in a Suburban Community in Nigeria.

OBJECTIVE: Globally, the morbidity and mortality caused by exposure to household air pollution from the use of solid fuels remain a significant public health burden. This study assessed the levels of PM2.5 in households using clean and unclean fuels and their associations with the respiratory health of women and children. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Daytime PM2.5 sampling was done in 62 households (31 in each group) in Isiohor, a suburban community in southern Nigeria using Casella CEL-712 Microdust Pro Real-time Dust Monitor. Validated American Thoracic Society questionnaire was used to assess respiratory symptoms. RESULTS: PM2.5 levels exceeded World Health Organization-recommended limits in most households. The median (range) concentration of PM2.5 was lower in households using clean fuels (26 (14 to 358) µg/m3) than those using unclean fuels (29 (14 to 650) µg/m3). This difference was not statistically significant (P = .272). At least 1 respiratory symptom was reported by women (25.8% vs. 22.6%) and children (64.5% vs. 77.4%) in household using clean and unclean fuels, respectively. The most commonly reported respiratory symptoms were being woken up by an attack of cough (41.9% vs. 51.6% ) and cough first thing in the morning (16.1% vs 38.7%) for clean and unclean fuels, respectively (P = .046). More children in household using unclean fuel missed school for up to a week because of respiratory illness when compared to those in households using clean fuel, 61.3% vs. 29.0% (P = .011). In the sample as a whole, burning of candles in the house (22.6%) was associated with respiratory symptoms (Adjusted Odds Ratio = 14.81, 95% CI 1.79 to 122.51) among the women. CONCLUSION: The use of unclean fuel was associated with higher levels of PM2.5. The household air pollution resulting from the use of unclean fuels and activities like burning of candles in the home may compromise the respiratory health of women and children.

Respiratory symptoms and ventilatory functions among quarry workers in Edo state, Nigeria.

INTRODUCTION: Workers in the quarry industries are exposed to hazards resulting from the inhalation of air borne particulates. The study determined the prevalence of respiratory symptoms and assessed ventilatory functions among quarry workers in Edo state, Nigeria. METHODS: Quarry workers (site workers and office workers) were interviewed using structured questionnaire. FEV1, FVC, FEV1/FVC and PEFR were measured using a KoKo Legend spirometer. RESULTS: A total of 113 quarry workers (76 exposure and 37 controls) were studied. The exposure group had significantly higher occurrence of chest tightness (35.5%) compared with 16.2% of the controls (p < 0.05). The occurrence of cough (23.7% versus 13.5%), sputum (21.1% versus 16.2%), and dyspnoea (7.9% versus 5.4%), were higher in exposure groups while wheeze (10.8% versus 10.5%) and nasal congestion (27.0% and 25.0%) were higher in the control groups. The mean (SD) FEV1, and FVC were significantly lower among the exposure compared with the control group; 2.77L (0.73) versus 3.14L (0.78), p < 0.05, and 3.48L (0.84) versus 3.89L (0.92), p < 0.05. In both groups, smokers had significantly lower mean (SD) FEV1, FVC and PEFR compared with non-smokers; 2.91L (0.77) versus 3.39L (0.69), p = 0.01, 3.61L (0.91) versus 4.26L (0.74), p < 0.05 and 6.56L (2.43) versus 7.98L (1.67), p < 0.05. CONCLUSION: Chronic exposure to quarry dust is associated with respiratory symptoms and reduced lung function indices among quarry workers. The enforcement of the use of PPEs and periodic evaluation the lung function status of quarry workers is advocated.

The burden of hypertension and diabetes mellitus in rural communities in southern Nigeria.

INTRODUCTION: The African region of the world is experiencing a double epidemic of both communicable and non-communicable diseases. The objective of the study was to determine the prevalence of hypertension and diabetes mellitus among adult residents of rural communities in southern Nigeria. METHODS: A community based descriptive cross-sectional study. Adults aged 18 years and above residing in the rural communities who attended a free medical outreach programme were screened for hypertension and diabetes mellitus. Data were collected using a structured interviewer-administered questionnaire. RESULTS: Of the 845 participants, 349 (41.3%) were aged 50-69 years, 263 (31.1%) were males, and 305 (36.1%) were farmers. Overweight and obesity were found in 184 (21.8%) and 90 (10.6%) of them respectively. The overall prevalence of hypertension was 37.6% (males 43.7%, females 35.1%, p = 0.018) while that of diabetes mellitus was 4.6% (males 1.9%, females 5.8%, p = 0.012). Predictors of hypertension were age ≥ 40 years (OR = 5.04, CI: 2.99 - 8.48), overweight/obesity (OR = 1.56, CI: 1.15 - 2.13) while females are less likely to develop hypertension (OR = 0.72, CI: 0.53 - 0.98). The significant predictor of diabetes mellitus was overweight/obesity (OR = 3.53, CI: 1.78 - 6.98). CONCLUSION: The rising prevalence of hypertension and diabetes mellitus is assuming an epidemic level in rural communities in southern Nigeria. There is an urgent need for intensive health education and community surveillance programmes targeted at rural communities in order to achieve prevention and control of these non-communicable diseases in Nigeria.

Household Cooking Fuel Use among Residents of a Sub-Urban Community in Nigeria: Implications for Indoor Air Pollution.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study is to assess the types of household cooking fuel used by residents of Isiohor community in Edo State, Nigeria. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted among 133 household heads or their representatives in Isiohor Community in Edo State, Nigeria. Data collection was by means of a structured interviewer administered questionnaire. RESULTS: Half (50.3%) of the households studied were made up of 4-6 persons living in them. Sixty-two (46.6%) respondents had tertiary level of education and a third 44 (33.1%) earned between 21,000 and 30,000 naira (150-200 dollars) monthly. Forty six (34.6%) and 27 (20.3%) respondents live in passage houses and flats respectively. Two thirds (68.4%) of the respondents cook their food indoors. The predominant household cooking fuels used by the respondents were cooking gas (51.1%), Kerosene (45.9%), vegetables (25.6%) and firewood (14.3%). Majority 106 (79.7%) had poor knowledge of the health effects of prolonged exposure to smoke arising from indoor cooking. There was a statistically significant association between the occupation of the respondents and the type of household cooking fuel used (p=0.002). CONCLUSION: The use of unclean indoor cooking fuel was high among the residents of Isiohor community in Edo State, Nigeria. Also, there was poor knowledge of the health effects of prolonged exposure to smoke from unclean cooking fuel among the respondents and this has serious implications for indoor air pollution. There is an urgent need for health/hygiene education on the health effects of use of unclean indoor cooking fuel among these residents. There is also need for use of clean/green cooking stoves and construction of exhaust ventilation pipes in these households.