Assessment of Respiratory Symptoms Among cleaners in Governmental Hospitals in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia; Comparative Cross-sectional study

Abstract Objective Respiratory disorders are the most common occupational diseases. Occupational exposures to dust, fumes, chemicals and gases are associated with increased prevalence of respiratory symptoms. Although cleaning represents a significant part of the working population worldwide, it is a relatively understudied occupation and respiratory health of professional cleaners in hospitals have not been significantly addressed in Ethiopia. The aim of this study was to assess the respiratory symptoms of cleaners working in hospital setting. A comparative cross sectional study design was employed on 140 study participants. The study was composed of 70 cleaners and 70 control subjects. Respiratory symptoms were assessed using standardized questionnaire. The data was coded, entered, cleaned and analyzed using SPSS version 20. Results Prevalence of dry cough, productive cough, wheezing, breathlessness and chest pain for cleaners was higher than the control group. Cleaners had odds of wheezing 2.05 times (OR 2.05, 95% CI: 0.77-5.50) than the controls. The odds of dry cough among cleaners was 4.7 times than among non-cleaners which was the most prevalent respiratory symptom. Based on the study the risk of developing respiratory symptoms were higher among cleaners than controls (p<0.05 to dry cough and breathlessness).