Background: In African cities, chronic exposure to pollutants is the most common
public health problem faced daily by motorcycle taxi drivers. In Benin, studies
conducted on motorcycle drivers, have shown the presence of nitrogen oxides,
carbon monoxide, sulfur dioxide, volatile organic compounds and particulate
matter in ambient air, which may affect lung function. Aims: This study aims to diagnose potential respiratory problems
among 48 motorcycle taxi drivers (47.02 ± 8.75 years) compared to a
control group made up of 52 people (46.38 ± 8.81 years) in Porto-Novo, Benin. Methods: A questionnaire, two
exploration pulmonary function tests and two 6-minute walk tests were used to
identify symptoms and changes in respiratory variables that reveal the
existence of bronchospasm. Results: The frequency of respiratory symptoms noted among motorcycle taxi drivers is
higher than that recorded among members of the control group. We observed that
motorcycle drivers at rest and after physical effort have significantly lower
respiratory variables (FVC, FEV1, PEF, FEF25-75, FEF50 and FEF25)
(p < 0.05) than those recoded in
control group. Conclusion: It can therefore be concluded that, because of the
relatively long duration of exposure among motorcycle taxi drivers, the inhalation
of automobile pollutants, may cause respiratory problems in this population.