Abstract

Background: Occupational hazards are becoming the major concern for public health. Occupational health awareness in Ethiopia not well informed. And this resulted in extensively high prevalence of occupational respiratory symptoms. This research is aiming to assess occupational respiratory health symptoms and associated factors among street sweepers in Addis Ababa. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted from January 2016 to march 2016 from five sub cities, and three weredas were selected using random sampling system. Univariate analysis, logistic regression analysis was performed to select all the independent variables with 95% Confidence Interval (CI) and p<0.05. Epinfo version 3.5.1 and SPSS Version 20 used for data entry and analysis. Result: The overall prevalence of respiratory symptoms among street sweepers were 279(68.9%), and respiratory symptoms cough 180(44.4%), shortness of breath 137(33.8%), and manifestation of eye discomfort 193(47.7%), sneezing 181(55.3%), and nose irritation 134(33.1%). Respiratory symptoms were associated with Age 28-37 (AOR=2.65; 95% CI: 1.362, 5.166) and 38-47 (AOR=2.051 95% CI: 1.018, 4.132), past history of emphysema (AOR=2.53 95% CI: 1.072, 5.97) and TB (AOR=7.24 95% CI 1.584, 3.065). Conclusion: Respiratory symptoms were highly prevalent among street sweepers. Thus, pre-employment, on job training; improving hygienic practices and proper utilization of PPE are necessary measures to reduce the health hazards facing street sweepers in Addis Ababa.

Keywords: Occupational hazard; Coughing; Phlegm; Asthma; Street sweepers; Dust; Mist