title: Respiratory symptoms and lung function patterns in workers exposed to wood smoke and cooking oil fumes (mai suya) in Nigeria.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  'Mai suya' is a common job in the most northern Nigeria in which there is significant exposures to wood smoke and oil fumes. The respiratory impact of these dual exposures on workers engaged in this work has not been previously documented, hence this study was carried out.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The aim is to study the prevalence, patterns and respiratory function assessment among this group.
  
  
  METHODS
  This is a case controlled study involving mai suya and workers who are not exposed to wood smoke and oil fumes in an occupational setting. All consenting mai suya and matched controls were recruited. Both groups underwent an interviewer administered questionnaire followed by on spot spirometric test measuring forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1), forced vital capacity (FVC), peak expiratory flow rate (PEFR). Results are presented using descriptive statistics. Chi square was used to test for association between respiratory symptoms and the job categories. Student's t-test was used to compare values of continuous variables. Odd ratios were determined for the risk of respiratory symptoms and exposure to wood smoke and oil fumes.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Both groups are similar in their demographic characters except in their smoking status, so current smokers were excluded from further analysis. The test group had significantly increased occurrence of chest tightness: 59% (19/32), nasal congestion: 37% (12/32), cough: 32% (10/32), and wheeze: 12% (4/32) compared with the control group, odds ratio (OR) 3.1, 95% confidence interval CI (0.1-5.8), P value 0.04, OR 1.2,95% CI (1.04-1.8), P value = 0.02, OR 0.9 95% CI (0.9-1.4), P value = 0.3, and OR 1.2,95% CI (1-1.3), P value = 0.04, respectively. Occurrences of some respiratory symptoms were associated with duration on the job, while a positive family history of asthma is not associated with increased occurrence of symptoms. The mean (SD) FEV1 and FVC were significantly lower among the test group compared with the control group; 2.5L/s (0.55) versus 3.02L/s (0.51), P value = 0.007 and 2.7L (0.7) versus 3.16L (0.51), P value = 0.04.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Mai suya' have increased risk of respiratory symptoms and altered pulmonary functions. There is a need for protective equipment and periodic evaluation.
authors: Department of Medicine, Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospitals Complex, Ile Ife, Nigeria.
authors: O O
authors: OO
authors: Adewole
authors: O O
authors: OO
authors: Desalu
authors: K C
authors: KC
authors: Nwogu
authors: T O
authors: TO
authors: Adewole
authors: G E
authors: GE
authors: Erhabor
keywords: Function; Mai suya; Oil fumes; Pulmonary
references: Inhal Toxicol. 2007 Jan;19(1):67-106
references: 17127644
references: Arch Environ Health. 2001 Sep-Oct;56(5):419-32
references: 11777023
references: Niger J Med. 2008 Oct-Dec;17(4):423-7
references: 19048760
references: West J Med. 1989 Sep;151(3):339-42
references: 2686171
references: Afr J Med Med Sci. 2000 Jun;29(2):101-4
references: 11379437
references: Arch Environ Health. 1994 Mar-Apr;49(2):119-22
references: 8161241
references: Food Chem Toxicol. 1995 Oct;33(10):821-8
references: 7590526
references: N Engl J Med. 1995 Jul 13;333(2):107-12
references: 7777015
references: Chest. 2001 Apr;119(4):1260-5
references: 11296197
references: J Natl Med Assoc. 2002 Dec;94(12):1071-6
references: 12510706
references: Am J Ind Med. 2004 Mar;45(3):251-9
references: 14991852
references: Chest. 1996 Jan;109(1):115-9
references: 8549171
references: J Asthma. 2010 Sep;47(7):711-7
references: 20690798
references: J Occup Med Toxicol. 2009 May 04;4:9
references: 19409114