Prevalence of chronic bronchitis and tobacco smoking in some rural communities in Ekiti state, Nigeria.

AIMS AND
OBJECTIVES: The objective of this study was to determine the prevalence of chronic bronchitis (CB) and its association with sociodemographic factors and tobacco smoking in some rural communities in Ekiti state, Nigeria. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: This is a cross sectional study among adults aged e" 35 years in the three selected rural communities in Ekiti state, South West, Nigeria from January 2009 to March 2009.The subjects were selected by multistage cluster sampling method. The European Coal and Steel Community (ECSC) questionnaire was adapted and administered by trained health workers to obtain sociodemographic information, respiratory symptoms, history of tobacco smoking, occupational exposure to dust and housing.
RESULTS: Of the 391 subjects that participated in the study, 135(34.5%) were males and 256(65.5%) were females; the mean age of the subjects was 55.5 ± 10.2 year. Twenty two subjects (5.6%) met the case definition of CB. Nine (6.7%) of the 22 were males and 13(5.1%) were female. None of the current smokers had CB, while 36.4% of those with CB were former smokers. The multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that aged 65-74 (OR= 9.66, 95% C.I 3.43-27.20), aged e"75 years (OR= 3.88, 95% C.I 1.08-13.98) and tobacco smoking (OR= 6.37 95% C.I 2.12-19.14) had the strongest association with CB. Poor housing (OR=1.80; 95% C.I 0.56-6.51), occupational exposure to organic and inorganic dust (OR= 1.74; 95% C.I 0.67-4.60) and Low socioeconomic status (OR=1.72; 95% C.I 0.29-10.88) were also independently associated with CB. Sex and level of education were not associated with CB.
CONCLUSION: The prevalence of chronic bronchitis in this study was 5.6% and is comparable to previous studies worldwide. Apart from old age which is not modifiable, other associated factors with CB like tobacco smoking, low socioeconomic status, poor housing and exposure to dusts can be modified to prevent the disease.