TITLE:
The Epidemiology of Cardio-Vascular Diseases in Relation to the Air Quality of Abattoirs in Port Harcourt, Nigeria
AUTHORS:
Vincent Ezikornwor Weli, Jimmy O. Adegoke, Meelubari Barinua Kpang
KEYWORDS:
Abattoir, Cardiovascular Diseases, Air Quality, Pollutant Concentration, Duration of Exposure
JOURNAL NAME:
World Journal of Cardiovascular Diseases,
Vol.6 No.4,
April
29,
2016
ABSTRACT: This study
investigated the spatial occurrence of cardiovascular diseases associated with
the air quality of selected abattoirs in Port Harcourt. Using the simple random
sampling technique, the Trans-Amadi, Rumuokoro, Rukpokwu and Elelenwo abattoirs
were selected and used for the study. However, both gases and particulates
matter which include NO2, SO2, H2S, CH4,
CO, PM2.5, and PM10 were collected at distances of 0, 20,
50, 100, 200 m with the aid of a hand held multi-gas monitor. The questionnaire
was used to obtain the demographic and socio-economic characteristics of the
respondents, duration of job in years, as well as individual frequency of hospital
visitation based on symptoms of cardiovascular diseases. The electrocardiogram
was employed to diagnose manifestations of ischemic heart disease among the
workers especially in the roasting section. Analysis of data collected was done
using the Step-wise multiple regression technique. Result showed that occurrence of cardiovascular diseases
is a function of pollutant concentration (CO - r = 0.57) at Rumuokoro
abattoir; (O3 - r = 0.40, SO2 - r = 0.23, CO - r = 0.14)
at Rukpokwu abattoir, duration of exposure (DOE - r = 0.22) at Rumuokoro
abattoir, (DOE ? r = 0.40) at Trans-Amadi abattoir;
and (DOE - r = 0.20) at Elelenwo abattoir; age of worker (r = 0.06) at Rukpokwu
abattoir, (r = 0.30) at Elenlewo abattoir and daily duration on the job (JOBD
- r = 0.13) at Elelenwo abattoir. Findings indicate that there is a positive
correlation between occurrence of vascular diseases and pollutant
concentration, duration of exposure, age and duration on the job but varies
from location to location. Periodic
epidemiological and air quality assessment of workers at the abattoirs are
strongly advocated.