Prevalence and risk factors for low back pain (LBP) among Taxi Drivers in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia: A community based cross-sectional study

Background: Low back pain has serious consequences on the overall health of an individual. Pain, decreased quality of life and disability can be a few to mention as examples of the consequences. Studies indicate that despite the increase in the prevalence of low back pain in Africa, little has so far been known in the continent about the epidemiology of low back pain in the continent. The case in Ethiopia cannot be held exception. The motivation for this study therefore arose from the need to fill this research gap in the local context.Objectives: This study was aimed to assess the prevalence and determinants of low back pain among taxi drivers in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.Methods: A community-based cross sectional study was conducted in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. The participants of the study were 422 full time taxi drivers. The study was carried out from February 2015 to May 2015. The data were collected through face-to-face interview using standardized and customized Nordic questionnaire. Data were analyzed using SPSS Version 20. Bivariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were used to determine association between low back pain and risk factors.Results: A total of 422 full time taxi drivers with the mean age of 35.28 (±10.059) participated in the study. Of the 422 participants, 271 (i.e., 64.2%) reported having low back pain at least for one day in the 12 months prior to the survey. Many of the participants mentioned alcohol consumption [AOR = 1.6 (95%CI; 1.0-2.7)] lack of physical exercise [AOR =1.6, (95%CI, 1.0-2.7)] and history of back trauma [AOR = 3.8 (95%CI, 2.2-6.5)] as factors leading to LBP.Long years of driving [AOR =4.6 (95%CI, 1.6-12.9)], involvement in a similar activity prior to becoming taxi driver [AOR = 2.8 (95%CI and 1.7-4.6)] and lack of rest when on duty [AOR =1.76 (95%CI, 1.7-4.6)] were further risk factors mentioned. There were also respondents who mentioned sitting on non-comfortable seat while diving [AOR = 1.74 (95%CI, 1.1-2.79)] and frequent handling of passengers’ luggage [AOR = 1.9 (95%CI, (1.2-3.0)] as risk factors of low back pain by taxi drivers in Addis Ababa.Conclusion: Low back pain was found to be common among taxi drivers in Addis Ababa. Occupation and behavior related factors were noted as strong predictors of LBP among the taxi drivers covered in the present study. Further study, with an alternative design, was recommended to investigate other risk factors of low back pain among taxi drivers. The association LBP may have with the whole body vibration and seat type could be among the focus areas of future research. [Ethiop. J. Health Dev. 2017;31(4):244-250]Keywords: Back pain, Risk Factors, Drivers, Addis Abab

Bacterial contamination of coffee and personal exposure to inhalable dust and endotoxin in primary coffee processing factories in Ethiopia

Introduction and objective: Endotoxins from gram-negative bacteria might be released when the coffee cherries are processed and may cause respiratory health problems among workers in the coffee industry. The relationship between bacterial contamination and occupational exposure to endotoxin levels has not been thoroughly explored previously in primary coffee processing factories in Ethiopia, or elsewhere. The aim of this study was to characterize the level of personal endotoxin exposure and its relations with bacterial contamination of coffee cherries in such factories in Ethiopia. Material and methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted from March 2020 – February 2021 in 9 primary coffee processing factories in 3 regions in Ethiopia. A total of 180 personal air samples were collected to analyze workers’ exposure to inhalable dust and endotoxin. Correlation tests were performed to assess the relationship between total bacteria and endotoxin levels and between inhalable dust and endotoxin levels. Results: The geometric mean (GM) of personal inhalable dust exposure among machine room workers and hand pickers were 9.58 mg/m3 and 2.56 mg/m3, respectively. The overall GM of endotoxin exposure among machine room workers and hand pickers were 10,198 EU/m3 and 780 EU/m3, respectively. Gram-negative bacteria were found in all 54 coffee samples. The correlation between inhalable dust and endotoxin exposure was significant (r=0.80; P <0.01). Conclusions: About 92% of the samples from hand pickers and all samples from machine room workers exceeded the occupational exposure limit of 90 EU/m3 recommended by the Dutch Expert Committee on Occupational Standards. Prevention and control of bacterial contamination of the coffee in primary coffee processing are suggested to reduce endotoxin exposure that might cause respiratory health problems among coffee workers.publishedVersio

Floods and health in Gambella region, Ethiopia: a qualitative assessment of the strengths and weaknesses of coping mechanisms

BACKGROUND: Floods are the most frequent and devastating type of natural disaster worldwide, causing unprecedented deaths, diseases, and destruction of property and crops. Flooding has a greater impact in developing countries due to lack of sufficient disaster management structures and a lack of economic resources. OBJECTIVE: This study was conducted with the aim of contributing to the knowledge base of development strategies that reduce flood-related health risks in developing countries. The study focused particularly on assessing the flood risks and health-related issues in the Gambella region of Ethiopia; with the intent of producing relevant information to assist with the improvements in the efficacy of the current flood coping strategies in the region. METHODS: Data were gathered through interviews with 14 officers from different government and non-governmental organizations and a questionnaire survey given to 35 flood victims in Itang woreda. A qualitative approach was applied and the data were analyzed using content analysis. RESULTS: It was found that flooding is a common problem in Gambella region. The findings also indicate that the flood frequency and magnitude has increased rapidly during the last decade. The increase in floods was driven mainly by climate change and changes in land use, specifically deforestation. The reported main impacts of flooding on human health in Gambella region were deaths, injuries, and diseases such as malaria and diarrhea. Another notable consequence of flooding was crop destruction and subsequent malnutrition. CONCLUSIONS: Three weaknesses that were identified in the current coping strategies for flood-related health impacts in Gambella region were a lack of flood-specific policy, absence of risk assessment, and weak institutional capacity. This study recommends new policy approaches that will increase the effectiveness of the current flood coping strategies to sustainably address the impact of flooding on human health

Reduced Lung Function among Workers in Primary Coffee Processing Factories in Ethiopia: A Cross Sectional Study

Dust exposure is one of the major risk factors for respiratory health in many workplaces, including coffee factories. The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence of respiratory symptoms and lung function reduction among workers in Ethiopian primary coffee processing factories, compared to a control group of workers. A total of 115 coffee workers and 110 water bottling workers were involved in this study, from 12 coffee and 3 water bottling factories in Ethiopia, respectively. The chronic respiratory symptoms were assessed using a structured interview, using a standardized questionnaire adopted from the American Thoracic Society (ATS). The lung function tests were performed according to the ATS recommendation for spirometry. The coffee workers had a significantly higher prevalence of coughing, coughing with sputum, breathlessness, work-related shortness of breath, and wheezing compared with the controls. The prevalence ratio of work-related shortness of breath (PR = 3.7, 95% CI: 1.6&ndash;8.7) and wheezing (PR = 3.3, 95% CI: 1.3&ndash;8.4) was significantly higher for the coffee workers compared to the controls. The coffee workers in the age groups 28&ndash;39 years and &ge;40 years, had a significantly lower forced vital capacity and forced expiratory volume in 1 s compared to the controls in the similar age groups. The findings indicated the need for longitudinal studies on the possible effect of coffee dust on respiratory health of coffee production workers

Dust Exposure and Respiratory Health Among Workers in Primary Coffee Processing Factories in Tanzania and Ethiopia

Introduction: In primary coffee factories the coffee beans are cleaned and sorted. Studies from the 80- and 90-ties indicated respiratory health effects among the workers, but these results may not represent the present status. Our aim was to review recent studies on dust exposure and respiratory health among coffee factory workers in Tanzania and Ethiopia, two major coffee producing countries in Africa. Methods: This study merged data from cross-sectional studies from 2010 to 2019 in 4 and 12 factories in Tanzania and Ethiopia, respectively. Personal samples of “total” dust and endotoxin were taken in the breathing zone. Chronic respiratory symptoms were assessed using the American Thoracic Society (ATS) questionnaire. Lung function was measured by a spirometer in accordance with ATS guidelines. Results: Dust exposure among male production workers was higher in Ethiopia (GM 12 mg/m3; range 1.1–81) than in Tanzania (2.5; 0.24–36). Exposure to endotoxins was high (3,500; 42–75,083) compared to the Dutch OEL of 90 EU/m3. The male workers had higher prevalence of respiratory symptoms than controls. The highest symptom prevalence and odds ratio were found for cough (48.4%; OR = 11.3), while for breathlessness and wheezing the odds ratios were 3.2 and 2.4, respectively. There was a significant difference between the male coffee workers and controls in the adjusted FEV1 (0.26 l/s) and FVC (0.21 l) and in the prevalence of airflow limitation (FEV1/FVC < 0.7) (6.3 vs. 0.9%). Among the male coffee workers, there was a significant association between cumulative dust exposure and the lung function variables FEV1 and FVC, respectively. Conclusions: The results suggest that coffee production workers are at risk of developing chronic respiratory symptoms and reduced lung function, and that the findings are related to high dust levels. Measures to reduce dust exposure should be targeted to factors identified as significant determinants of exposure

Assessing the contribution of alternative agriculture to poverty reduction and employment creation: A case study of sugar beet cultivation in Kenya

In Kenya, the government is promoting high-value and drought resistant crop varieties in an effort to reduce poverty in rural areas. Sugar beet is one such crop. This study was conducted with two objectives: 1) to assess the opportunities and challenges for sugar beet cultivation and adoption in the Nyandarua district of Kenya and 2) to assess whether sugar beet adoption can offer an opportunity for escaping poverty for smallholder farmers in the district. The factors favoring sugar beet cultivation and adoption in the district include: adequate land area suitable for sugar beet cultivation and the high sugar beet yield that can be attained per unit suitable land area, farmers' awareness of the positive aspects of sugar beet cultivation, and the willingness of many farmers to grow the sugar beet crop. Notwithstanding these favorable conditions, some socio-economic factors-mainly the affordability of sugar beet production and possible lack of appropriate farming technologies, will present challenges to widespread sugar beet adoption, particularly to those farmers in the low-and medium-income categories. The sugar beet profit analysis showed that depending on the market price, sugar beet can potentially increase household net income. However, since the majority of households are in the low-and medium-income categories, for sugar beet to pull the smallholder farmers out of poverty, interventions from government and other stakeholders is of vital necessity. The impact of sugar beet adoption and cultivation will vary from household to household. Those households within the high-income category who can raise the required start up capital are likely to benefit, while the low-and medium-income households may not, which is true for any new crop with high start up costs. Alternative agriculture alone is therefore not a sufficient strategy to address the problems of poverty and unemployment. Any successful strategy to address these issues must be broad-based, and include alternative agriculture and other growth and development strategies. Provision for the entire necessary infrastructure should precede or accompany all of these strategies in order to optimize implementation benefits

Reduced Lung Function among Workers in Primary Coffee Processing Factories in Ethiopia: A Cross Sectional Study

Dust exposure is one of the major risk factors for respiratory health in many workplaces, including coffee factories. The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence of respiratory symptoms and lung function reduction among workers in Ethiopian primary coffee processing factories, compared to a control group of workers. A total of 115 coffee workers and 110 water bottling workers were involved in this study, from 12 coffee and 3 water bottling factories in Ethiopia, respectively. The chronic respiratory symptoms were assessed using a structured interview, using a standardized questionnaire adopted from the American Thoracic Society (ATS). The lung function tests were performed according to the ATS recommendation for spirometry. The coffee workers had a significantly higher prevalence of coughing, coughing with sputum, breathlessness, work-related shortness of breath, and wheezing compared with the controls. The prevalence ratio of work-related shortness of breath (PR = 3.7, 95% CI: 1.6&#8315;8.7) and wheezing (PR = 3.3, 95% CI: 1.3&#8315;8.4) was significantly higher for the coffee workers compared to the controls. The coffee workers in the age groups 28&#8315;39 years and &#8805;40 years, had a significantly lower forced vital capacity and forced expiratory volume in 1 s compared to the controls in the similar age groups. The findings indicated the need for longitudinal studies on the possible effect of coffee dust on respiratory health of coffee production workers

Assessment of Diarrhea and Its Associated Factors in Under-Five Children among Open Defecation and Open Defecation-Free Rural Settings of Dangla District, Northwest Ethiopia

Background. Open defecation (OD) is a widespread problem in the developing world. This practice facilitates the transmission of diarrheal diseases. In Ethiopia, still the national open defecation rate in 2014 was 34.1% (37.9% in rural and 8.7% in urban). Objective. To assess diarrheal morbidity in under-five children and its associated factors in Dangla district, Northwest Ethiopia, 2016. Methods. A community-based comparative cross-sectional study design with a multistage random sampling technique was applied. The total sample size was 550 (275 ODF and 275 OD). Descriptive and inferential statistics were done. Results. A total of 525 participants were interviewed making the response rate 95.45%. The prevalence of diarrhea was 9.9% in ODF and 36.1% in OD kebeles. In ODF kebeles, child immunization (AOR = 0.037; 95% CI: 0.006–0.243), latrine presence (AOR = 0.036; 0.006–0.233), water shortage (AOR = 8.756; 95% CI: 1.130–67.831), and solid waste disposal (AOR = 0.143; 95% CI: 0.020–0.998) have statistically significant association with diarrhea occurrence. While in OD kebeles child immunization (AOR = 0.032; 95 CI: 0.008–0.123), water access of 7.5–15 liters/day (AOR = 0.029; 95% CI: 0.006–0.152), water shortage (AOR = 18.478; 95% CI: 4.692–72.760), and proper solid waste disposal (AOR = 0.023; 95% CI: 0.005–0.117) have significant association with diarrhea occurrence. Conclusions. The overall prevalence of under-five diarrhea was low in ODF kebeles as compared with OD kebeles. The study showed that child immunization, latrine presence, water shortage in household, and solid waste disposal practices had statistically significant association with diarrhea occurrence in ODF kebeles, while water access at the individual level, water shortage in household, child immunization, and solid waste disposal have statistically significant association with diarrhea occurrence in OD kebeles. Integrated efforts are needed from the Ministry of Health together with line ministries and developmental partners in improving latrine utilization at household level, water shortage in households, and solid waste disposal practices