Respiratory effects of biomass fuel combustion on rural fish smokers in a Nigerian fishing settlement: a case control study.
BACKGROUND
The aim was to study the prevalence of respiratory symptoms and assess the lung function of fish smokers in Nigeria.


METHODS
A case control study was done among fish smokers in Nigeria. Women aged 15 years or older (n=210) involved in fish smoking and equal number of matched controls were interviewed on respiratory symptoms and their peak expiratory flow rate (PEFR) measured. Data was analysed using chi square test, student's t-test and odd ratios.


RESULTS
Both groups were similar in their personal characteristics. The test group had significantly increased occurrence of sneezing (153; 72.86%), catarrh (159; 75.71%), cough (138; 65.71%) and chest pain (59; 28.10%) compared with the control group, odds ratio (OR) 2.49, 95% confidence interval CI (1.62-3.82), P < 0.001), OR 3.77,95% CI (2.44- 5.85), P < 0.001, OR 3.38, 95% CI (2.22-5.15), P < 0.001, and OR 6.45,95% CI (3.22-13.15), P < 0.001, respectively. The mean PEFR of 321±58.93 L/min among the fish smokers was significantly lower than 400±42.92 L/min among the controls (p = 0.0001).


CONCLUSIONS
Fish smokers have increased risk of respiratory symptoms and reduced pulmonary function. There is a need for protective equipment and periodic evaluation.
Department of Family Medicine, University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital, Nigeria.
Paul
P
Dienye
Department of Family Medicine, University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital, Nigeria.
Alex
A
Akani
Department of Family Medicine, University of Calabar, Nigeria.
Ita
I
Okokon
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000818:Animals; D018533:Biomass; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D016001:Confidence Intervals; D003906:Developing Countries; D005260:Female; D005399:Fishes; D005525:Food-Processing Industry; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D020380:Needs Assessment; D009549:Nigeria; D016273:Occupational Exposure / Q000009:adverse effects*; D011482:Protective Devices / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012016:Reference Values; D012129:Respiratory Function Tests; D012140:Respiratory Tract Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012424:Rural Population; D012907:Smoking / Q000009:adverse effects*; D055815:Young Adult
Biomass combustion; Nigeria; fish smokers; respiratory effect