Mulugeta Tamene A
Federal job creation and food security Agency Solid waste management specialist Ethiopia
Title: Occupational respiratory health symptoms and associated factors among street sweepers in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
Biography
Biography: Mulugeta Tamene A
Abstract
Occupational hazards are becoming the major concern for public health. Occupational health awareness in Ethiopia is not well informed, especially among street sweepers. And this resulted in extensively high prevalence of occupational respiratory symptoms. Thus, this research is aiming to assess occupational respiratory health symptoms and associated factors among street sweepers in Addis Ababa. A cross-sectional study was conducted from January 2016 to march 2016 from five sub cities, and three Woredas were selected using random sampling system. Univariate analysis, logistic regression analysis was performed to select all the independent variables with 95% Confidence Interval (CI) and p < 0.05 considered to be significant. Epinfo version 3.5.1 and SPSS Version 20 used for data entry and analysis. The overall prevalence of respiratory symptoms among street sweepers was 279(68.9%). Our finding showed that respiratory symptoms including cough 180(44.4%), shortness of breath 137(33.8%), sneezing 181(55.3%), and nose irritation 134(33.1%) as well as manifestation of eye discomfort 193(47.7%) were the main ones. Respiratory symptoms were associated with Age 28-37 (AOR= 2.65 95% CI: 1.362, 5.166) and 38-47 (AOR= 2.051 95% CI: 1.018, 4.132), past history of emphysema (AOR= 2.53 95% CI: 1.072, 5.97) and TB (AOR=7.24 95% CI 1.584, 3.065). Therefore, respiratory symptoms were highly prevalent among street sweepers. Pre-employment, on job training; improving hygienic practices and proper utilization of PPE are critical steps to reduce the burden respiratory problems among the street sweeper. Moreover, the proper monitoring and periodic medical checkup may increase the health and safety of workers.