Pulmonary Function Test of Fish Mongers in Port Harcourt Metropolis
Tamuno-Opubo, Abiye *
Department of Human Physiology, College of Medical Sciences, Rivers State University, Rivers State, Nigeria.
Stanley, Rosemary Oluchi
Department of Internal Medicine, University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital, Rivers State, Nigeria.
Austin-Asomeji, Iyingiala
Department of Community Medicine, College of Medical Sciences, Rivers State University, Rivers State, Nigeria.
Bademosi Adetomi
Department of Community Medicine, College of Medical Sciences, Rivers State University, Rivers State, Nigeria.
Abiye George
Department of Anaesthesiology, College of Medical Sciences, Rivers State University, Rivers State, Nigeria.
Obiandu Chibuike
Department of Human Physiology, College of Medical Sciences, Rivers State University, Rivers State, Nigeria.
Idonibo, Iminabo Crowther
Department of Human Physiology, College of Medical Sciences, Rivers State University, Rivers State, Nigeria.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
Aim: This study investigated the pulmonary function test of fish mongers in Port Harcourt metropolis.
Study Design: Cross-sectional study
Place and Time of Study: Port Harcourt, Rivers state, Nigeria. January 2021 – July 2021.
Method: A comparative assessment of 100 subjects were carried out in the course of this study with 50 been the fish mongers and the other 50 non fish mongers. The Forced expiratory volume (FEV), the force vital capacity (FVC), the FEV1/ FVC Ratio among fish mongers and non-fish mongers were determined.
Results: The mean ages of both categories of the subjects indicated 39 years for fishmongers and 20.89 for non-fishmongers. This study found out that there were elevated levels of systolic and diastolic blood pressures in the fishmonger subjects compared to their non-fishmonger. The FVC, FEV1 and FEV6 mean values were found to be non-significantly reduced in the fishmonger group compared to their counterparts.
Conclusion: These findings suggest that it is important that fishmongers and their likes be more conscious to their predisposition to the risk of respiratory and cardiovascular diseases. As occupation predisposes them to negative impact on their lung health, and, subsequently, on cardiovascular health following constant exposure to smoke and physical inactivity.
Keywords: Fish monger, fish-smoking, smoke inhalation, lung function