Respiratory Health Status of Workers in a Bottling Factory in Benin City, Nigeria.

Introduction: There is a paucity of data on the respiratory health status of workers in bottling factories in Benin City, Nigeria. Such data will help to drive future studies and influence policy development on occupational health and safety in the country. This study assesses the respiratory symptoms and spirometric indices of exposed workers and controls. Methods: Respiratory symptoms and spirometric parameters of 18 workers on routine mandatory annual lung screening were assessed using the modified MRC (Medical Research Council) questionnaire and spirometer respectively, according to the European Respiratory Society and American Thoracic Society (ERS/ATS) guidelines. Results: The mean age of workers was 35.1 ± 6.7 years. Workers and controls were similar in age, sex, BMI (Body Mass Index) and health status (p > 0.05). Respiratory symptoms were significantly higher among workers compared to controls. Overall, the result was statistically significant in the variables of wheeze in a smoky or dusty environment, presence of at least one respiratory symptom, better symptoms at weekends and better symptoms during holidays (p < 0.05). In particular, 6 (33.3%) exposed workers had wheeze in a smoky or dusty environment, 9 (50.0%) exposed workers reported at least one respiratory symptom compared with 2 (11.1%) controls, 5 (27.8%) had better symptoms at weekends, and 7 (38.9%) had better symptoms at holidays (p < 0.05). Generally, the reported frequency of respiratory symptoms among exposed workers were: cough (22.2%), sputum production (5.6%), breathlessness (11.1%) and wheeze (44.4%). Similarly, workers had significantly lower spirometric indices than controls, particularly in forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1), FEV1/forced vital capacity (FVC) ratio and forced expiratory flow between 25% and 75% of FVC (FEF 25⁻75%) measurements. Conclusions: This study provides evidence of adverse respiratory health effects among bottling factory workers which requires further investigation.

Screening for diabetes mellitus among tuberculosis patients in Southern Nigeria: a multi-centre implementation study under programme settings.

Implementation studies are recommended to assess the feasibility and effectiveness of programmes. In Nigeria, little is known about the burden of diabetes mellitus (DM) among tuberculosis (TB) patients. The objective of this study was to determine screening efficacy, prevalence of DM and determinants of DM among TB patients. We report on a multi-centre implementation study carried-out in 13 health facilities in six States of Southern Nigeria. All newly diagnosed TB patients registered from March to October 2015 were screened for DM using current World Health Organisation guidelines. Overall, 2094 TB patients were evaluated, 196 (9.4%) were found to have DM. The prevalence of newly diagnosed DM was 5.5% (115/2094). DM prevalence varied according to age group; occurring in 2.2% of patients aged ≤ 25 years and 16.9% in patients aged (56-65) years. The additional yield of DM was 59% while the number needed to screen to detect a new case of DM was 18. Factors associated with DM were; age >40 years (aOR2.8, CI 2.1-3.9), rural residence (aOR2.3, 1.6-3.2), private health facility care (aOR2.0, 1.4-2.7), and having an occupation that engages in vigorous activity (aOR0.6, 0.4-0.9). The burden of DM among TB patients is high. Prioritization of DM screening for TB patients is indicated.

Differences in rates of obstructive lung disease between Africans and African Americans.

OBJECTIVE: The prevalence of obstructive lung disease is rising in the United States, particularly among those of African descent. Rates of ventilatory impairment and reported respiratory symptoms were examined in a cross-sectional study of urban Nigerian civil servants who are in transition to a westernized lifestyle. DESIGN: 410 civil servants (235 men, 175 women) aged 30-69 years in Benin City, Nigeria (West Africa) were recruited for a cross-sectional study on respiratory health and compared to 3,397 African Americans enrolled in NHANES III between 1988 and 1994. METHODS: Forced vital capacity (FVC), expiratory flow rate in 1 sec (FEV1), FEV1/FVC ratio, and peak expiratory flow rate (PEFR) were measured by spirometry. Demographic characteristics and respiratory symptoms were ascertained by questionnaire. RESULTS: Nigerians had lower age and height adjusted FVC and FEV1 than African Americans in both genders, independent of smoking and respiratory disease. However, relative lung function was better among Nigerians. Fewer Nigerians had an age-adjusted FEV1/FVC ratio below 0.70 than African Americans (10.54 vs 14.10/100 men, 6.29 vs 8.67/100 women). Overall, Nigerians had a lower age-adjusted prevalence of any self-reported respiratory symptoms than African Americans (3.65 vs 22.90/100 men, 4.57 vs 35.38/100 women). Similarly, Nigerians had a lower age-adjusted prevalence of current smoking than African Americans (10.82 vs 46.50/100 in men and 0 vs 30.93/100 in women). CONCLUSIONS: Urban Nigerians who have limited exposure to cigarette smoke and who work in a non-industrial setting have a low prevalence of obstructive lung disease.