TITLE:
Prevalence of Work-Aggravated Asthma among Bakery Workers in Abidjan (Cote d’Ivoire)
AUTHORS:
Loukou Leandre Konan, Esme Marie Laure Essis, Brou Michel Kouassi, Marius Kedote, Julius Fobil, William Yavo, Ossey Bernard Yapo, Issaka Tiembre
KEYWORDS:
Work-Aggravated Asthma, Occupational Asthma, Work-Related Asthma, Bakeries, Abidjan, Ivory Coast
JOURNAL NAME:
Health,
Vol.16 No.3,
March
27,
2024
ABSTRACT: Introduction:
Work-aggravated asthma is pre-existing or concomitant asthma whose symptoms are
aggravated by the work environment. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of this pathology and its associated
factors among bakery workers in Abidjan. Materials and Methods: This descriptive and analytical cross-sectional
study was conducted over a period of four (4)
months from 18 December 2019 to 18 April 2020. Two questionnaires were used, one on employees and the
other on the indoor environment of bakeries. In addition, a spirometry test was
performed on all bakery workers. Statistical analysis was performed using stata
15.1 software. Results: A total of 599 bakery employees, including
bakers (59.73%), sales assistants/ cashiers (23.52%), cleaners (6.34%) and administrative
staff (10.18%), were investigated. The mean age was 30.8 ± 8 years, with a sex
ratio (M/F) = 2.2. Asthma symptoms were
found in 95 (15.86%) employees, of whom 74 (77.9%) had work-related asthma and 11 (14.9%) had asthma aggravated by work. The factors associated with work-aggravated asthma were
personal or family history of allergy or atopy [ORa = 3.75; CI95%: 1.56 - 8.93; p = 0.003], exposure to dust
[ORa = 5.01; CI95%: 1.43 - 7.50; p = 0.011] and humidity level
(60% - 70%) [ORa = 1.80; CI 95%: 0.99 - 3.28; p = 0.05]. Conclusion: Work-aggravated asthma is a
reality in bakeries in Abidjan, with an estimated prevalence of 14.9%. Two of the three factors associated with this
condition suggest a link with indoor air pollution. Combating air pollution in
these establishments must therefore be a priority for the relevant
authorities, in order to provide employees
with a working environment that protects their health.