ASSESSMENT ON WORK RELATED CARDIOPULMONARY SYMPTOMS AS INDICATORS OF COBBLESTONE WORKERS MORBIDITY IN ADDIS ABABA.

ABSTRACT Cobblestone work has been becoming a good job opportunity in Ethiopia; Hoever workers are exposed to dust during excavating, cutting, drilling, handling, loading, transporting, chiseling and paving activities. Stone dust exposure has effect on the cardio-respiratory, liver and kidney functions with its associated symptoms as it contains metals and other substances risky for human health.The present study was designed to assess work related cardiopulmonary symptoms as indicators of cobblestone workers morbidity in Addis Ababa. Cross-sectional study and random sampling was applied on chiseling and quarry workers exposed for one and above years. Standard questionnaire, structured interview and observational checklist were used for data collection. The study showed higher prevalence of cardio-respiratory symptoms and illness. The test of proportion (p) shows, there was an association between dust inhalation and the occurrence of respiratory symptoms and diseases. The strength of association was explained by odd ratio (OR), relative risk (RR) and attributive risk (AR) which compare the symptoms difference between exposed groups and controls as well as between subgroups. The chi-square test indicated presence of significantly higher prevalence of the cardio-respiratory symptoms. From the present study, it could be concluded that dust emission during cobblestone preparation adversely affects the cardio-pulmonary wellbeing of workers. It is recommended that further studies should be conducted on many workers to make standing decisions and regulations. Regular inspection should be carried out. There should be full co-operation among the competent authority, research institutions workers and occupational health professional. Key words: Cobblestone, Quarry, Chiseling, Dust Exposure, Cardio-respiratory symptoms