Effect of an improved cookstove on indoor particulate matter, lung function and fuel efficiency of firewood users

Abstract Indoor air pollution increases morbidity and mortality of millions of lives especially among women and children in developing countries. A major source of indoor air pollution is biomass used as energy source during cooking. Improved cookstoves were therefore developed to reduce pollution from gases and particulate matter. The main objective was to assess the effect of an improved cookstove on indoor particulate matter concentration, lung function tests and fuel economy. A "before and after" study was carried out among 81 households who use firewood as source of fuel. Study area was Obiakpor Local Government Area of Port Harcourt. Results showed a total of 81 households were studied and all were females. Sixty two (77%) had at least secondary education while 8 (10%) had no formal education. The age range was 21 to 81years and few respondents (14.8%) were aware of improved cookstove. There was significant reduction (32%) in the mean particulate matter concentration when improved cookstoves were used as cooking utensil compared to when traditional stoves were used (P = 0.02). The lung function of the respondents also improved when using the improved cookstove. Families spent three times on firewood when cooking with traditional tripod stoves than when cooking wit

Assessment of Occupational Health, Safety and Environment (OHSE) of small and Medium Scale Chemical Manufacturing Enterprises (SMCMES) in Enugu Metropolis Nigeria

Background: There is increasing emphasis on safety and health at workplaces since work-related injuries and ill health can ruin lives and affect businesses. The study was aimed at assessing occupational health, safety and environment practices among the Small and Medium scale Chemical Manufacturing Enterprises (SMCME) in Enugu metropolis, Nigeria.Method: A descriptive cross sectional study was carried out among 382 respondents randomly selected from SMCMEs in Enugu metropolis. Semi-structured questionnaire was used to assess the nature of work processes, environmental conditions and prevalence of workplace chemical injury/disease in the last 12 months.Results: Most of the respondents operated both manual and mechanical (77%) process in their work activities. The workplace hazards observed were chemical hazards (33%), ergonomic hazards (21%), mechanical hazards (15%), physical hazards (14%) and psychosocial hazards (14%). Some common health problems were hand injury (12%) and respiratory tract infection (10%) and overall annual prevalence rate was 338 injuries/diseases per 1000 workers.Conclusion/Recommendation: Workers in SMCME ar exposed to hazards due to their poor nature of work process. There is therefore high prevalence rate of preventable work related injuries/diseases. Employers should focus on training and installing safer work environment and government should enforce the practice of OHSE in SMCME.Keywords: Small and Medium scale Enterprises (SME), Occupational Health, Safety, Environment, Hazards, Chemicals, Prevalence, Enug

Comparison of knowledge of occupational hazards of lead exposure and blood lead estimation among roadside and organized panel beaters in Enugu metropolis, Nigeria

Introduction: occupational practices continuously exposes workers to hazards of lead. This study aimed to compare the knowledge of occupational hazards associated with lead exposure, and blood lead estimation among roadside and organized panel beaters in Enugu metropolis, Nigeria. Methods: this was a cross-sectional study. Multistage sampling method was used to select 428 panel beaters in Enugu metropolis. Samples were analyzed using Atomic Absorption Spectrometer at 283.3 wavelengths. Data were entered and analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Science 20. Comparative analysis were done using chi - square, T-test, Mann-Whitney U-test, Kruskal-Wallis test, logistic regression and level of significance was set at 5%. Results: the majority of respondents on both roadside (59.8%) and organized (73.4%) sectors had poor knowledge of hazards of lead exposure. The difference was significant using χ² (P<0.05). The median blood lead levels were 3.0µg|dl and 16.0µg|dl for roadside and organized panel beaters respectively. The difference was significant with Mann-Whitney U test (P<0.001). The prevalence of elevated blood lead at 10µg|dl were 36.9% (roadside sector) and 64.5% (organized sector). The duration of working hours (OR = 4.34, CI = 1.729 – 10.338) was found to be the predictor of elevated blood lead levels. Conclusion: there were general poor knowledge of hazards of lead exposure and high prevalence of elevated lead levels which were more among organized panel beaters. Advocacy on standard organizational structures that support improved occupational health practices is needed and routine outreach by research institutions for health education and safety training

Assessment of Knowledge and Practice of Disease Surveillance and Notification among Health Workers in Private Hospitals in Enugu State, Nigeria

Background: Disease surveillance and notification (DSN) has been recognized as an effective strategy for prevention and control of diseases, particularly epidemic-prone diseases. Aim: This study assessed the knowledge and practice of DSN activities in private health facilities(PHFs) in Enugu metropolis. Materials and Methods: This was a cross-sectional study, utilizing mixed methods. Multistage sampling method was used to select the PHFs and the respondents. Respondents were health-care workers (HCWs) in charge of DSN in PHFs within Enugu metropolis and the state epidemiologist. Chi-square test and multivariate analysis using binary logistic regression were used for analysis. Results: Being a medical doctor (adjusted odds ratio [AOR]: 6.567; confidence interval [CI]: 1.250–34.502) was found to be a predictor of good knowledge. Facilities having more than ten patients daily (AOR: 0.012; CI: 0.085–0.739) and poor knowledge of Integrated Disease Surveillance and Response (IDSR) system (AOR: 0.135; CI: 0.028–0.660) were predictors of poor IDSR practice. Four major themes emerged from the key informant interview: the level of involvement of state with DSN in PHFs, support available to PHFs, challenges in assessing DSN data in PHFs, and measures to improve DSN activities in PHFs. Conclusion: The HCWs in charge of DSN had good knowledge of IDSR system, but the practice was poor. There is a need for regular training with supportive supervision of the HCWs to ensure they translate knowledge into practice

Road Traffic Injury Is an Escalating Burden in Africa and Deserves Proportionate Research Efforts

Changing the mindset of road users in Africa will be a challenge, says the author, but many lives are at stake

Assessment of Baking industries in a Developing Country: The common Hazards, Health challenges, control measures and Association to Asthma

Abstract The baking industry is prone to occupational health challenges like allergy and musculoskeletal disorders. Th