title: Respiratory symptoms and ventilatory functions among quarry workers in Edo state, Nigeria.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Workers in the quarry industries are exposed to hazards resulting from the inhalation of air borne particulates. The study determined the prevalence of respiratory symptoms and assessed ventilatory functions among quarry workers in Edo state, Nigeria.
  
  
  METHODS
  Quarry workers (site workers and office workers) were interviewed using structured questionnaire. FEV1, FVC, FEV1/FVC and PEFR were measured using a KoKo Legend spirometer.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A total of 113 quarry workers (76 exposure and 37 controls) were studied. The exposure group had significantly higher occurrence of chest tightness (35.5%) compared with 16.2% of the controls (p < 0.05). The occurrence of cough (23.7% versus 13.5%), sputum (21.1% versus 16.2%), and dyspnoea (7.9% versus 5.4%), were higher in exposure groups while wheeze (10.8% versus 10.5%) and nasal congestion (27.0% and 25.0%) were higher in the control groups. The mean (SD) FEV1, and FVC were significantly lower among the exposure compared with the control group; 2.77L (0.73) versus 3.14L (0.78), p < 0.05, and 3.48L (0.84) versus 3.89L (0.92), p < 0.05. In both groups, smokers had significantly lower mean (SD) FEV1, FVC and PEFR compared with non-smokers; 2.91L (0.77) versus 3.39L (0.69), p = 0.01, 3.61L (0.91) versus 4.26L (0.74), p < 0.05 and 6.56L (2.43) versus 7.98L (1.67), p < 0.05.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Chronic exposure to quarry dust is associated with respiratory symptoms and reduced lung function indices among quarry workers. The enforcement of the use of PPEs and periodic evaluation the lung function status of quarry workers is advocated.
authors.affiliation: Department of Community Health, University of Benin Teaching Hospital, P. M. B. 1111, Benin City, Nigeria.
authors.forename: Alphonsus Rukevwe
authors.initials: AR
authors.lastname: Isara
authors.affiliation: Department of Community Health, University of Benin Teaching Hospital, P. M. B. 1111, Benin City, Nigeria.
authors.forename: Vincent Yakubu
authors.initials: VY
authors.lastname: Adam
authors.affiliation: Department of Community Health, University of Benin Teaching Hospital, P. M. B. 1111, Benin City, Nigeria.
authors.forename: Adesuwa Queen
authors.initials: AQ
authors.lastname: Aigbokhaode
authors.affiliation: Department of Community Health, University of Benin Teaching Hospital, P. M. B. 1111, Benin City, Nigeria.
authors.forename: Innocent Osi
authors.initials: IO
authors.lastname: Alenoghena
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D003371:Cough / Q000453:epidemiology; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004391:Dust; D004417:Dyspnea / Q000453:epidemiology; D019652:Extraction and Processing Industry; D005260:Female; D005541:Forced Expiratory Volume; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009549:Nigeria / Q000453:epidemiology; D009784:Occupational Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology*; D016273:Occupational Exposure / Q000009:adverse effects*; D052638:Particulate Matter / Q000009:adverse effects*; D010366:Peak Expiratory Flow Rate; D015995:Prevalence; D012140:Respiratory Tract Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology; D013147:Spirometry; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014797:Vital Capacity
chemical_list: D004391:Dust; D052638:Particulate Matter
keywords: Lung function; Nigeria; quarry workers; respiratory symptoms