This study was conducted in Kinondoni district, Dar es Salaam,
Tanzania, with the objectives to generate prediction equations for
forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1), forced expiratory volume
in 6 seconds (FEV6), FEV1/FEV6 ratio and peak expiratory flow (PEF)
from a nonsymptomatic sample of the population, and to compare these
equations to published reference values. The study included adults aged
≥15 years who were recruited by use of community based,
multistage cluster random sampling. Participants performed spirometry
and answered questionnaires regarding respiratory symptoms and
socioeconomic conditions. Anthropometric data were collected. Selection
of subjects for generation of reference values followed American
Thoracic Society (ATS) recommendations. Data were analyzed using
multiple regression techniques. Fifty two men and 98 women were
selected to the reference value group. FEV1, FEV6, FEV1/FEV6 and PEF
were regressed against age, height and weight. For men a curvilinear
model was chosen when predicting FEV1, FEV6 and PEF, and a linear model
predicted FEV1/FEV6. For women a linear model was used in the
regression equations. The reference values generated from our study
were lower than in several previously published studies. Our study
suggests that assessment of respiratory function should be based on
reference values generated from the same population as those being
assessed