BYSSINOSIS AND OTHER RESPIRATORY DISORDERS AMONG TEXTILE MILL WORKERSIN BAHR-DAR NORTHWEST ETHIOPIA

The prevalence of byssinosis and other respiratory symptoms were studi ed among 433 workers who were occupationally exposed to cotton dust in Bahr Dar Textile Mill. One-hundred-one nonexposed workers living in t he same geographical area were included as controls. All of the subjec ts completed the British Medical Research Council Questionnaire. Pulmo nary function tests were administered on a vitalograph spirometer befo re starting the shift for all subjects, and after at least four hours of exposure for exposed subjects. Among the cotton dust exposed worker s, byssinotics behaved distinctly and showed the maximum acute and chr onic changes in pulmonary functions. The overall prevalence of byssino sis was 45.5%. The highest prevalence was found in carding (57.9%) and in ring frame (57.1%) operatives and the lowest in weaving preparator y section (32.1%). Unlike bronchial asthma, chronic cough and chronic bronchitis were significantly higher (p < 0.01) in cotton dust exposed subjects compared with controls. The mean measured values of ventilat ory capacity (FEV1 and FVC) are to a significant extent reduced in the exposed groups compared with controls (p < 0.01). In view of the abov e findings, preventive measures are of paramount importance in minimiz ing the prevalence of byssinosis and other respiratory disorders.