Abstract:
Abstract
Background: Hundreds of millions of people suffer and four million people die
prematurely from respiratory diseases each year. Occupational respiratory symptoms
are a broad group of respiratory diseases caused by the inhalation of dusts and
chemicals. There is gap of study concerning prevalence of respiratory symptoms in
printing enterprises in Ethiopia. So, this study tried to assess respiratory symptoms
manifested in this sector and identify factors attribute.
Methods: Organization based cross sectional designs of study was used. Sample size
calculated using the formula for single population proportion taking 50% assumed at
95% confidence interval and margin of error 5%, including 5% non-response rate 403
workers participated in the study. Stratifying technique and simple random sampling
method were used to recruit the study participants. Data was collected with modified
pre-tested American Thoracic Society (ATS) questionnaire by three trained data
collectors under the close supervision of principal investigator. EpiInfo version 7.1 was
used to enter data into computer and SPSS version 20.0 for analysis. Association of
independent variables with outcome variable was determined by binary and
multivariable logistic regression analysis.
Results: Respiratory symptoms were highly prevalent among public printing enterprise
workers in Addis Ababa, 66.4%, [95% CI: 61.8-71]. The majority of respondents have
developed high cough and short breath 158(40.5%) followed by chest tightness
115(29.6%). Ages 36-46 years [AOR: 1.957, 95% CI: 1.060-3.612] and 46-64 years
[2.073(1.114-3.858)] and education status grade 8 or below [AOR: 5.48, 95 % CI:
1.527-19.707] found to be risk factors for respiratory symptoms.
Conclusion and Recommendations: This study showed high prevalence of
respiratory symptoms when compared to available data. Age, educational status and
chemical exposure were the predictors of the respiratory symptom. Comprehensive
occupational health and safety strengthening measures should be taken by both
government and printing enterprises’ managers.
Key word: respiratory symptoms, printing enterprises, occupational factors
