Safety and Health at Work Vol. 14 Issue 3 2023
Chronic Respiratory Symptoms and Associated Factors among Fruit and Vegetable Workers in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia: A Comparative Cross sectional Study (Original article)
Dublin Core
Title
Safety and Health at Work Vol. 14 Issue 3 2023
Chronic Respiratory Symptoms and Associated Factors among Fruit and Vegetable Workers in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia: A Comparative Cross sectional Study (Original article)
Chronic Respiratory Symptoms and Associated Factors among Fruit and Vegetable Workers in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia: A Comparative Cross sectional Study (Original article)
Subject
Chronic respiratory symptoms, Ethiopia, Fruit and vegetable market workers, Organic dust, Prevalence
Description
Background: Fruit and vegetable market is an abundant source of bioaerosols. Exposure to organic and
inorganic waste and long-term inhalation of bioaerosols during working hours leads to chronic respi-
ratory symptoms. Hence, this study aimed to determine the prevalence of chronic respiratory symptoms
and related factors among fruit and vegetable workers compared with the control group in Addis Ababa,
Ethiopia.
Methods and materials: A comparative cross-sectional study was conducted from 2020 to 2021. Data
were entered in EpiData 3.1 and exported to Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) version 25.
Logistic regressions were computed to depict the data and related factors. The culture method was done
to count and compare bacterial and fungal concentrations between fruit and vegetable workers and
office workers.
Results: In this study, the prevalence of chronic respiratory symptoms (PR 1⁄4 2.87, 95% confidence interval
[CI]: 1.772e4.66) was significantly higher among fruit and vegetable workers (46.7%) than controls
(23.4%). Sex (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] 1⁄4 2.11, 95% CI 1⁄4 1.12e3.98), educational status (AOR 1⁄4 1.34, 95%
CI 1⁄4 0.78e2.32), working hours per day (AOR 1⁄4 3.91, 95% CI 1⁄4 1.586e9.65), and working department
(AOR 1⁄4 3.20, 95% CI 1⁄4 0.90e11.40) were associated with chronic respiratory symptoms. Bacterial and
fungal concentrations were significantly higher in the air of the vegetable market (276 colony-forming
unit) than the air in the workplace of controls (7 colony-forming unit).
Conclusion: The fruit and vegetable market workers (greengrocers) had a higher prevalence of chronic
respiratory symptoms relative to office workers. Respiratory protective devices should be given to deliver
preventive measures.
inorganic waste and long-term inhalation of bioaerosols during working hours leads to chronic respi-
ratory symptoms. Hence, this study aimed to determine the prevalence of chronic respiratory symptoms
and related factors among fruit and vegetable workers compared with the control group in Addis Ababa,
Ethiopia.
Methods and materials: A comparative cross-sectional study was conducted from 2020 to 2021. Data
were entered in EpiData 3.1 and exported to Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) version 25.
Logistic regressions were computed to depict the data and related factors. The culture method was done
to count and compare bacterial and fungal concentrations between fruit and vegetable workers and
office workers.
Results: In this study, the prevalence of chronic respiratory symptoms (PR 1⁄4 2.87, 95% confidence interval
[CI]: 1.772e4.66) was significantly higher among fruit and vegetable workers (46.7%) than controls
(23.4%). Sex (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] 1⁄4 2.11, 95% CI 1⁄4 1.12e3.98), educational status (AOR 1⁄4 1.34, 95%
CI 1⁄4 0.78e2.32), working hours per day (AOR 1⁄4 3.91, 95% CI 1⁄4 1.586e9.65), and working department
(AOR 1⁄4 3.20, 95% CI 1⁄4 0.90e11.40) were associated with chronic respiratory symptoms. Bacterial and
fungal concentrations were significantly higher in the air of the vegetable market (276 colony-forming
unit) than the air in the workplace of controls (7 colony-forming unit).
Conclusion: The fruit and vegetable market workers (greengrocers) had a higher prevalence of chronic
respiratory symptoms relative to office workers. Respiratory protective devices should be given to deliver
preventive measures.
Creator
Mulualem Gete Feleke, Yidnekachew Alemu, Meaza Gezu Shentema, Samson Wakuma, Zerihun Emiru, Tesfaye Yitna Chichiabellu
Source
journal homepage: www.e-shaw.net
Publisher
Elsevier B.V. on behalf of Occupational Safety and Health Research Institute, Korea Occupational Safety and Health Agency.
Date
21 August 2023
Contributor
Sri Wahyuni
Format
PDF
Language
English
Type
Text
Coverage
Safety and Health at Work Vol. 14 Issue 3 2023
Files
Citation
Mulualem Gete Feleke, Yidnekachew Alemu, Meaza Gezu Shentema, Samson Wakuma, Zerihun Emiru, Tesfaye Yitna Chichiabellu, “Safety and Health at Work Vol. 14 Issue 3 2023
Chronic Respiratory Symptoms and Associated Factors among Fruit and Vegetable Workers in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia: A Comparative Cross sectional Study (Original article),” Repository Horizon University Indonesia, accessed February 5, 2025, https://repository.horizon.ac.id/items/show/3452.
Chronic Respiratory Symptoms and Associated Factors among Fruit and Vegetable Workers in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia: A Comparative Cross sectional Study (Original article),” Repository Horizon University Indonesia, accessed February 5, 2025, https://repository.horizon.ac.id/items/show/3452.