Comparative Analysis of Cardiorespiratory Function among Bankers and Mobile Food Vendors at Agbogbloshie an E-Waste Recycling Plant Site in Accra, Ghana

Abstract

Background: Healthcare cost of treatment for respiratory diseases is an increasing burden on the economies of all countries. Outdoor air pollutants including particulate matter, heavy metals, carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, fumes containing toxic organic substances have been associated with short-term adverse effects on lung function in healthy adults, children or patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) or asthma. Agbogbloshie is a vibrant informal settlement with a considerable overlap between industrial, commercial and residential zones. Objective: The aim of the study was to conduct a comparative analysis of cardiorespiratory function among bankers and mobile food vendors at Agbogbloshie, an e-waste recycling site. Method: An analytical cross-sectional study was conducted at Agbogbloshie among 50 bankers and 50 mobile food vendors. A structured questionnaire was used to collect data on socio-demographic characteristics and respiratory symptoms. Sphygmomanometer, pulse oximeter and spirometer were used to take measurements of cardiorespiratory function indices; blood pressure, blood oxygen saturation level, pulse rate and lung function. Statistical analysis was done using STATA software version 15 (College Station, Texas). Descriptive statistics including frequency and percentages were done to summarize categorical variables. Chi-square analysis was used to assess the prevalence of respiratory symptoms among the workers and student t-test was used to compare cardiorespiratory functions between bankers and mobile food vendors. Multi-variate linear regression was done to examine the relationship between cardio-respiratory measures, age, sex, alcohol consumption and work-related factors. Results: The most common self-reported cardiorespiratory symptoms among bankers and mobile food vendors were cold (92% vs. 66%; p=0.001), sneezing (86% vs. 78%; p=0.298) and easy tiredness (74% vs. 78%; p=0.640) respectively. Lung function indices of mobile food vendors vs. bankers were as follows; FVC (3.07±1.29vs 3.35±1.02); FEVI (70.2±19.1 vs2.68±2.66); FVC/FEVI (71.7±18.6 vs. 75.6±16.9). There were no significant differences in lung function indices among mobile female food vendors and bankers at Agbogbloshie. Conclusion: This study showed a significant difference in both systolic and diastolic blood pressure among study participants.