Mahlet Mekasha - Disease Prevention and Control, Addis Ababa Health Bureau, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
Alemayehu Haddis - Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Faculty of Public Health, Jimma University Institute of Health, Ethiopia
Tamrat Shaweno - Department of Epidemiology, Faculty of Public Health, Jimma University Institute of Health, Ethiopia
Seid Tiku Mereta - Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Faculty of Public Health, Jimma University Institute of Health, Ethiopia

In Ethiopia, occupation-related respiratory symptoms are extensively increasing with the expansion of cement manufacturing industries. However, little information is available on the extent of emissions and its association with chronic respiratory diseases. This study assessed the emission level of PM۲.۵ and its association with chronic respiratory symptoms among workers in Mugher Cement Factory, in ۲۰۱۸. A cross sectional study was employed on a total of ۳۰۹ cement factory workers. Air check sampler, model ۲۲۴-۵۴, was used to measure the concentration of PM۲.۵. Variables with P value < ۰.۲ during bivariate analysis were selected as candidate for multiple logistic regressions. Significance level was set at P value <۰.۰۵. A total of ۳۰۹ workers participated in the study with an overall response rate of ۹۷%. The mean age of the respondents was ۳۲.۰۲ years (±۴.۷ SD). Emission levels of all PM۲.۵ samples were above the allowed standard. Among the workers, ۵۰.۸% had chronic respiratory symptoms and factors associated were: working in raw material receiving unit (adjusted odds ratio [AOR]= ۷.۵, ۹۵% CI, ۲.۹, ۱۹.۴), cement milling unit (AOR = ۲.۴, ۹۵ % CI ,۱.۲, ۴.۸), packing unit (AOR= ۲.۲, ۹۵% CI= ۱.۱, ۴.۳), workers’ monthly income level below ۳۰۰۰ ETB (AOR; ۵.۸, ۹۵% CI,۱.۹, ۱۷.۶), and workers’ regular medical checkup (AOR = ۲.۴, ۹۵ % CI, ۱.۰, ۵.۲). The concentration level of PM۲.۵ and prevalence of chronic respiratory symptoms were high in the study area. Use of personal protective devices and periodic monitoring of installed pollution control devices is highly recommended.

Chronic respiratory symptoms, Ethiopia, PM۲.۵, Workers of cement industry