Acute respiratory symptoms among sisal workers in Tanzania

Background Few studies have focused on respiratory health effectsamong sisal workers. Aim To report on the prevalence of acute respiratory symptomsamong sisal processors. Methods We interviewed 163 dust-exposed brushing and decorticationworkers and 31 low-exposed security workers from six sisal estatesin Tanzania using a modified symptom score questionnaire todetermine the prevalence of acute respiratory symptoms duringwork. Groups were compared using chi-square tests, Fisher'sexact tests, t-tests and logistic regression, adjusting forconfounding factors. Results After the first working day of the week, 73% of thebrushing workers reported dry cough, 66% sneezing, 65% productivecough, 63% running nose and 34% stuffy nose. Brushing workershad a significantly higher prevalence of these symptoms thandecortication workers. Brushing and decortication workers hadsignificantly more dry cough and sneezing than the control groupof security workers, when adjusting for age, smoking, past respiratorydiseases and residence. Conclusion Processors of sisal fibre have a high prevalenceof acute respiratory symptoms. More detailed studies on workand health in sisal estates are needed, including exposure studies.