Herve Lawin1, Gildas Agodokpessi2, Paul Ayelo3, Jacqueline Kagima4, Rodrigue Sonoukon3, Bertrand H Mbatchou Ngahane5, Olayemi Awopeju6, William M Vollmer7, Benoit Nemery8, Peter Burney9, Benjamin Fayomi3. 1. Unit of Teaching and Research in Occupational and Environmental Health, Department of Public Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Abomey-Calavi, Benin. Electronic address: hervelawin@yahoo.fr. 2. Centre National Hospitalier et Universitaire de Pneumo-Phtisiologie, Cotonou, Benin. 3. Unit of Teaching and Research in Occupational and Environmental Health, Department of Public Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Abomey-Calavi, Benin. 4. Department of internal medicine, Egerton University, Kenya. 5. Department of Internal Medicine, Douala General Hospital, Cameroon Faculty of Medicine and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Douala, Douala, Cameroon. 6. Department of Medicine, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile Ife, Nigeria. 7. Center for Health Research, Kaiser Permanente Northwest, Portland, USA. 8. Dept. of Public Health, Occupational and Environmental Insurance Medicine, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium. 9. National Heart & Lung Institute, Imperial College, London, UK.
Abstract
INTRODUCTION: Motorcycle taxi driving is common in many African cities. This study tested whether this occupation is associated with more respiratory disorders in a context of widespread urban air pollution with an improved methodology. METHODS: In a cross sectional study we compared 85 male motorcycle taxi drivers in the capital city of the Republic of Benin (Cotonou) with an age and neighborhood matched control group. All participants carried a portable carbon monoxide data logger for 8 hours per day to assess exposure to air pollution. Respiratory symptoms were obtained using a standardized questionnaire and pulmonary function was assessed by spirometry. RESULTS: The two groups did not differ significantly (p>0.10) in their age, height, educational level, and exposures to smoke from biomass fuels and tobacco products. The taxi drivers were exposed to higher mean (SD) levels of carbon monoxide (7.6±4.9ppmvs. 5.4±3.8ppm p=0.001). They reported more phlegm and tended to have slightly lower levels of lung function, although these differences were not statistically significant. CONCLUSION: In this cross sectional study of young motorcycle taxi drivers with substantial exposure to urban traffic and a matched control group, we found no evidence for respiratory impairment. A follow-up of such study population with other pollution exposure surrogate and other clinical endpoint may provide a more robust conclusion regarding the exposure response in this professional group.
INTRODUCTION: Motorcycle taxi driving is common in many African cities. This study tested whether this occupation is associated with more respiratory disorders in a context of widespread urban air pollution with an improved methodology. METHODS: In a cross sectional study we compared 85 male motorcycle taxi drivers in the capital city of the Republic of Benin (Cotonou) with an age and neighborhood matched control group. All participants carried a portable carbon monoxide data logger for 8 hours per day to assess exposure to air pollution. Respiratory symptoms were obtained using a standardized questionnaire and pulmonary function was assessed by spirometry. RESULTS: The two groups did not differ significantly (p>0.10) in their age, height, educational level, and exposures to smoke from biomass fuels and tobacco products. The taxi drivers were exposed to higher mean (SD) levels of carbon monoxide (7.6±4.9ppmvs. 5.4±3.8ppm p=0.001). They reported more phlegm and tended to have slightly lower levels of lung function, although these differences were not statistically significant. CONCLUSION: In this cross sectional study of young motorcycle taxi drivers with substantial exposure to urban traffic and a matched control group, we found no evidence for respiratory impairment. A follow-up of such study population with other pollution exposure surrogate and other clinical endpoint may provide a more robust conclusion regarding the exposure response in this professional group.
Authors: Roseana Böek Carvalho; Maria Fernanda Hornos Carneiro; Fernando Barbosa; Bruno Lemos Batista; Júlia Simonetti; Sergio Luis Amantéa; Cláudia Ramos Rhoden Journal: Environ Sci Pollut Res Int Date: 2018-04-27 Impact factor: 4.223
Authors: Herve Lawin; Lucie Ayi Fanou; Vikkey Hinson; Jacqueline Wanjiku; N Kingsley Ukwaja; Stephen B Gordon; Benjamin Fayomi; John R Balmes; Parfait Houngbegnon; Euripide Avokpaho; Ambaliou Sanni Journal: BMC Public Health Date: 2017-04-17 Impact factor: 3.295
Authors: Herve Lawin; Lucie Ayi Fanou; Antoine Vikkey Hinson; Marie Stolbrink; Parfait Houngbegnon; Nonvignon Marius Kedote; Benjamin Fayomi; Jacqueline Kagima; Patrick Katoto; Edgard Marius Dona Ouendo; Kevin Mortimer Journal: Int J Environ Res Public Health Date: 2018-09-18 Impact factor: 3.390
Authors: Herve Lawin; Lucie Ayi Fanou; Arsene Amadohoue Kpangon; Antoine Vikkey Hinson; John Balmes; Jacqueline Wanjiku; Boni Maxime Ale; Benjamin Fayomi Journal: Pan Afr Med J Date: 2018-06-12