Stress Prevalence and associated Factors among Bank Employees in Niamey, Niger

Introduction: The difficulties associated with the financial crisis have led to deep restructuring in the banking sector. The consequences are the emergence of stress among employees. The objective of this study was to assess job stress and related factors among bank workers in Niamey. Methods: This was a descriptive and analytical cross-sectional study conducted from 24 February to 23 August 2020 among bank workers in Niamey, Niger. A random draw of one agency per bank from four banks of the city, followed by a thorough recruitment of employees from the four selected agencies, was carried out.  Stress was measured using the Karasek and Siegrist model. The data had been analyzed with the Epi info7.2 software. Results: A total of 275 employees had been included. The average age was 38.09 ± 7.1 years. They were 152 men (55.27%), a sex ratio of 1.23. Half (50.55%) were executing agents; 30.91% worked more than 5 days a week. The prevalence of stress was 21.90% and 28%, respectively, according to the Siegrist and Karasek models. Work more than 5 days per week (p=0.0254; OR=2.75), feeling job insecurity (p=0.0047; OR=6.99) with the desire to change jobs (p<0.0041; OR=2.90) were associated with stress. On the other hand, male (p=0.0084; OR=0.42 and feeling satisfied with work (p=0.000; OR=0.10) were protective. Conclusion: The prevalence of stress in the banking sector in Niger is high. Measures to reduce the number of working days; ensuring job stability; to reward employees and support women's work are necessary to reduce stress

Comparison of motorcycle taxi driver's respiratory health using an air quality standard for carbon monoxide in ambient air: a pilot survey in Benin.

IntroductionAmbient air quality standards are not designed to protect people occupationally exposed to outdoor air pollution on a routine basis. This study aimed to assess the effect of exceeding the US ambient air quality standard for carbon monoxide (CO) on motorcycle taxi drivers respiratory health.MethodsA cross-sectional study of 85 current motorcycle taxi drivers with at least 5 years of job tenure in Cotonou (Benin) was conducted. Personal CO was measured with a portable CO data logger for 8 hours per day during working hours. A questionnaire on respiratory symptoms was administered to participants and spirometry was performed. Participants were divided into two groups, those with exposure to CO >9 ppm and ≤9 ppm, according to the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) National Ambient Air Quality Standard which is an 8-hour average of 9ppm. 8 and 10 ppm were also used an exposure limit. Analysis was done using these two groups.ResultsSocio-demographic characteristics were well balanced between the two study groups. The drivers with a CO exposure of more than 9ppm had non-significantly more respiratory symptoms (OR=1.67; 95%CI:0.26,10.74), lower FVC and FEV1 compared to the less exposed group but they have a significant lower PEF (-10%, p=0.02). When we used an exposure limit of 8 or 10 ppm the results were not statistically different.ConclusionDrivers with a CO exposure >9 ppm tend to have more respiratory problems. More research is needed to reinforce this result in order to improve air quality standards to protect workers occupationally exposed to outdoor air pollution

Performances comparées du HDL-cholestérol et du ratio cholestérol total/HDL pour le dépistage du syndrome métabolique chez des adultes du Sud-Bénin (Afrique de l’Ouest)

Les critères de définition du Syndrome métabolique (SMet) n’identifient pas convenablement les sujets d’origine africaine à risque. L’objectif était de déterminer lequel du ratio cholestérol total/HDL-cholestérol (CT/HDL-C) et du HDL-Cholestérol est le meilleur prédicteur du SMet chez les adultes béninois. L’étude de type transversal, issue d’une enquête longitudinale sur le risque cardiométabolique a inclu 416 sujets âgés de 29 à 69 ans. Les composantes du SMet considérées sont : l’obésité abdominale, la tension artérielle élevée, la glycémie élevée, le HDL-C bas et les triglycérides élevés. La comparaison des aires sous les courbes (AUC) de la « fonction d’efficacité du récepteur » (ROC) de prédiction de l’existence deux composantes du SMet autre que l’obésité abdominale, a permis de déterminer le meilleur prédicteur. Les prévalences du SMet étaient de 13,9% selon la définition harmonisée, 12,3% lorsque le HDL-C bas est remplacée par CT/HDL-C élevé. Les prévalences du HDL-bas et du CT/HDL-C élevé sont de 37,7% et 22,6%, respectivement. Pour le dépistage du SMet, l’AUC du CT/HDL-C est de 0,69 (IC 95% 0,61-0,77) chez les femmes et 0,68 (IC 95% 0,59-0,77) chez les hommes. L’AUC du HDL-C est de 0,45 (IC 95% 0,37-0,53) chez les femmes et 0,40 (IC 95% 0,30-0,44) chez les hommes. Le HDL-C et le CT/HDL-C ont une faible capacité prédictive pour le SMet, mais la composante CT/HDL-C prédit mieux le SMet que le HDL-C isolé. Toutefois, l’utilisation de l’un ou l’autre des deux paramètres ne modifie pas substantiellement la prévalence du SMet dans la population d’étude.© 2016 International Formulae Group. All rights reserved.Mots clés: Syndrome métabolique, lipoprotéines, ratio CT/HDL-C, Sud-BéninEnglish Title: Comparative performance of HDL-cholesterol and total cholesterol / HDL ratio for screening of metabolic syndrome in Southern Benin adults (West Africa)English AbstractCurrent definition criteria of the metabolic syndrome (MetS) do not adequately identify at risk African origin subjects. The objective was to determine which of total cholesterol/HDL-cholesterol (TC/HDL-C) and HDL-cholesterol is the best predictor of metabolic syndrome (SMet) in Benin adults. This cross-sectional study was nested in a four-year follow-up study on cardiometabolic risk factors and included 416 adults aged 29-69 years. Components of MetS considered were abdominal obesity, high blood pressure (BP), high fasting glucose, low HDL-C and high triglycerides. Areas under the "Receiver operator characteristic" curves (AUC)for CT/HDL-C and HDL-C in predicting the presence of at least two other components of SMet were compared in order to determine the best predictor of SMet. The prevalence of SMet was 13.9%, when replacing low HDL-C by high TC/HDL-C and 15.3% when both dyslipidemia indicators are combined. The prevalence of low HDL-C and high TC/HDL-C was 37.7% and 22.6%, respectively (p<0.001). Screening for SMet, the AUC of TC/HDL-C were 0.69 (95% CI 0.61-0.77) for women and 0.68 (95% CI 0.59-0.77) in men. The AUC of HDL-C were 0.45 (95% CI 0.37-0.53) for women and 0.40 (95% CI 0.30-0.44) for men. Both TC/HDL-C and HDL-C showed some weak predictive values for SMet, but TC/HDL-C ratio predicted SMet better than HDL-C.© 2016 International Formulae Group. All rights reserved.Keywords: Metabolic syndrome, lipoprotein, ratio CT/HDL-C, Southern Beni

Health Risks Associated with Occupational Exposure to Ambient Air Pollution in Commercial Drivers: a Systematic Review

Introduction: Ambient air pollution is major global health problem and commercial drivers are particularly exposed to it. No systematic assessment of the health risks associated with occupational exposure to ambient air pollution in this population has been carried out. Methods: We conducted a systematic review using a protocol-driven strategy. Papers published from inception to 20th April 2018 in MEDLINE, EMBASE, CINAHL, African journals online, Cochrane library, ISRCTN and WHO ICTRP databases were screened for inclusion by two independent reviewers. Original articles with at least an available abstract in English or French were included. Results: The initial search retrieved 1454 published articles of which 20 articles were included. 3 Studies reported a significant difference in white blood cells (106/L) among commercial motorcyclists compared to rural inhabitants (5.041±1.209 vs 5.900±1.213,p=0.001), an increased risk of lung cancer (RR=1.6, 95%CI 1.5-1.8) in bus drivers and an increased standardized mortality ratio (SMR) in bus drivers from Hodgkin’s lymphoma (SMR 2.17, 95%CI 1.19-3.87) compared to white collar workers. Other studies also found that drivers had more oxidative DNA damage and chromosome breaks. 4 papers failed to demonstrate that the drivers were more exposed to air pollution than the controls. 3 other studies also reported no significant difference in lung function parameters and respiratory symptoms. The genetic polymorphisms of detoxifying enzymes were not also homogeneously distributed compared to the controls. Conclusion: There is some evidence that occupational exposure to ambient air pollution among commercial drivers is associated with adverse health outcomes but the existing literature is limited with few studies of small sample size, methodological weaknesses and contradictory findings. Further research is recommended

Cotton Dust Exposure and Respiratory Disorders among Textile Workers at a Textile Company in the Southern Part of Benin

The textile industry sector occupies a prominent place in the economy of Benin. It exposes workers to several occupational risks, including exposure to cotton dust. To assess the effect of exposure to cotton dust on the health of workers, this study was initiated and conducted in a Beninese cotton industry company. The objective of the study was to evaluate the respiratory disorders among the textile workers exposed to cotton dust and the cross-sectional study involved 656 subjects exposed to cotton dust and 113 non-exposed subjects. The methods used are mainly based on a survey using a questionnaire of organic dust designed by the International Commission of Occupational Health (ICOH); and on the measures of lung function parameters (FEV1 and FVC). The main results of the different analyzes revealed that subjects exposed to cotton dust have more respiratory symptoms than unexposed subjects (36.9% vs. 21.2%). The prevalence of chronic cough, expectorations, dyspnoea, asthma and chronic bronchitis are 16.8%, 9.8%, 17.3%, 2.6%, and 5.9% respectively among the exposed versus 2.6%, 0.8%, 16.8%, 0% and 0.8% among the unexposed subjects. The prevalence of byssinosis is 44.01%.The prevalence of symptoms is dependent on the sector of activity and the age of the subject. These results should encourage medical interventions and technical prevention especially since the textile industry occupies an important place in the Benin’s economy

Comparison of motorcycle taxi driver's respiratory health using an air quality standard for carbon monoxide in ambient air: a pilot survey in Benin.

IntroductionAmbient air quality standards are not designed to protect people occupationally exposed to outdoor air pollution on a routine basis. This study aimed to assess the effect of exceeding the US ambient air quality standard for carbon monoxide (CO) on motorcycle taxi drivers respiratory health.MethodsA cross-sectional study of 85 current motorcycle taxi drivers with at least 5 years of job tenure in Cotonou (Benin) was conducted. Personal CO was measured with a portable CO data logger for 8 hours per day during working hours. A questionnaire on respiratory symptoms was administered to participants and spirometry was performed. Participants were divided into two groups, those with exposure to CO >9 ppm and ≤9 ppm, according to the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) National Ambient Air Quality Standard which is an 8-hour average of 9ppm. 8 and 10 ppm were also used an exposure limit. Analysis was done using these two groups.ResultsSocio-demographic characteristics were well balanced between the two study groups. The drivers with a CO exposure of more than 9ppm had non-significantly more respiratory symptoms (OR=1.67; 95%CI:0.26,10.74), lower FVC and FEV1 compared to the less exposed group but they have a significant lower PEF (-10%, p=0.02). When we used an exposure limit of 8 or 10 ppm the results were not statistically different.ConclusionDrivers with a CO exposure >9 ppm tend to have more respiratory problems. More research is needed to reinforce this result in order to improve air quality standards to protect workers occupationally exposed to outdoor air pollution

Risk Factors of Pesticide Poisoning and Pesticide Users’ Cholinesterase Levels in Cotton Production Areas: Glazoué and Savè Townships, in Central Republic of Benin

Objective: To assess the degree of poisoning in farmers using the erythrocyte acetylcholinesterase (AChE) test before and after the exposure to pesticides in townships in central Benin (Glazoué and Savè) and to identify the associated risk factors. Methods: Using a cross-sectional study design, we recruited 264 farm pesticide sprayers, who have been working for at least 5 years. They completed a questionnaire and underwent the AChE test using the Test-mate Model 400 device (EQM Research Inc.) with a photometric sensor, based on the works of Ellman. Results: Organophosphate/pyrethroids were the most common pesticides used by at least 72.96% of the farmworkers. We observed an inhibition of AChE between pre-exposure and post-exposure ( P = .002) for 60.61% of the farmworkers. Among them, 11.88% displayed more than 20% AChE inhibition. Conclusions: Pesticide poisoning is a reality, and AChE monitoring is urgently needed for farmworker surveillance

Exhaled carbon monoxide: a non-invasive biomarker of short-term exposure to outdoor air pollution.

BackgroundIn urban settings of Africa with rapidly increasing population, traffic-related air pollution is a major contributor to outdoor air pollution (OAP). Although OAP has been identified as a leading cause of global morbidity and mortality, there is however, lack of a simple biomarker to assess levels of exposure to OAP in resource-poor settings. This study evaluated the role of exhaled carbon monoxide (exhCO) as a potential biomarker of exposure to ambient carbon monoxide (ambCO) from OAP.MethodsThis was a descriptive study conducted among male commercial motorcycle riders in Cotonou - the economic capital of Benin. The participants' AmbCO was measured using a portable carbon monoxide (CO) data logger for 8 h during the period of their shift. ExhCO was measured just before and immediately after their shift (8-h) Participants were asked not to cook or to smoke during the day of the measurements. Linear regression analysis was used to assess the association between ambCO and exhCO for the last 2, 4 and 6 h of their shift.ResultsOf 170 participants who completed the study, their mean ± SD age was 42.2 ± 8.4 years, and their mean ± SD daily income was 7.3 ± 2.7$. Also, 95% of the participants' used solid fuels for cooking and only 2% had ever smoked. Average exhCO increased by 5.1 ppm at the end of the shift (p = 0.004). Post-shift exhCO was significantly associated to ambCO, this association was strongest for the last 2 h of OAP exposure before exhCO measurement (β = 0.34, p < 0.001).ConclusionExhCO level was associated with recent exposure to ambCO from OAP with measurable increase after 8 h of exposure. These findings suggest that ExhCO may be a potential biomarker of short-term exposure to OAP

Exhaled carbon monoxide: a non-invasive biomarker of short-term exposure to outdoor air pollution

Abstract Background In urban settings of Africa with rapidly increasing population, traffic-related air pollution is a major contributor to outdoor air pollution (OAP). Although OAP has been identified as a leading cause of global morbidity and mortality, there is however, lack of a simple biomarker to assess levels of exposure to OAP in resource-poor settings. This study evaluated the role of exhaled carbon monoxide (exhCO) as a potential biomarker of exposure to ambient carbon monoxide (ambCO) from OAP. Methods This was a descriptive study conducted among male commercial motorcycle riders in Cotonou – the economic capital of Benin. The participants’ AmbCO was measured using a portable carbon monoxide (CO) data logger for 8 h during the period of their shift. ExhCO was measured just before and immediately after their shift (8-h) Participants were asked not to cook or to smoke during the day of the measurements. Linear regression analysis was used to assess the association between ambCO and exhCO for the last 2, 4 and 6 h of their shift. Results Of 170 participants who completed the study, their mean ± SD age was 42.2 ± 8.4 years, and their mean ± SD daily income was 7.3 ± 2.7$. Also, 95% of the participants’ used solid fuels for cooking and only 2% had ever smoked. Average exhCO increased by 5.1 ppm at the end of the shift (p = 0.004). Post-shift exhCO was significantly associated to ambCO, this association was strongest for the last 2 h of OAP exposure before exhCO measurement (β = 0.34, p < 0.001). Conclusion ExhCO level was associated with recent exposure to ambCO from OAP with measurable increase after 8 h of exposure. These findings suggest that ExhCO may be a potential biomarker of short-term exposure to OAP