Lungen- und Atemwegsmedizin

Impact of Poultry Farming on Peak Expiratory Rate among Selected Farmers in Delta State South-South Nigeria

Abstract

Edah Omosco Charles, Ovuakporaye Simon Irikefe*, Daubry Tarela Melish Elias Aloamaka and Chukwuemeka Peter

Background: The respiratory system supplies oxygen a crucial component of life, and disperses carbon dioxide a major waste product. Pulmonary parameter studied in the course of this study is Peak Expiratory Flow Rate (PEFR).

Objective: The study determined the effects of poultry farming on peak expiratory flow rate of farmers.

Methodology: A total of 247 poultry farmers and 247 control subjects were sourced from the three senatorial district of Delta State, Nigeria. Stratified random sampling technique was employed in the course of this study, and data gathered from the study were presented as Mean ± Standard Deviation. Student T-test, One-way analysis of variance (ANOVA), and Pearson Product moment correlation were used to analyze the data. SPSS 22 was the statistical software used and P-values <0.05 was considered as statistically significant.

Findings: Result of the study shows that increase exposure to poultry farming significantly decrease PEFR of both male and female subjects. This decrease was more severe in female subjects. Similarly, PEFR of poultry farmers increased with increase in body mass index (BMI). The PEFR significantly decreased in female subjects at normal and overweight BMIs when compared to the male subjects. The mean PEFR of the male subjects exposed to poultry farming was greater than that of the female subjects.

Conclusion: The Peak Expiratory Flow Rate decreases with increasing age and duration of exposure to poultry farming, and it was more severe in female subjects.