Publications

A survey on the prevalence of respiratory tract bacterial pathogens among carpenters in Owerri, Imo states was carriedout between the month of August and September; 2021. A total of 30 samples, 15 sputum and 15 throat swabs wererandomly collected from carpenters in two different local government areas of Owerri; to determine the prevalence ofbacterial pathogens in the respiratory tract of the carpenters. To determine the prevalence of age-related respiratorytract bacterial pathogens among the carpenters. To identify the highest bacterial pathogens, present in the sputumsamples collected from the carpenters. To determine the microbial load among the infected subjects. To determine theknowledge, attitude, practices of the carpenters. Standard microbiological techniques were used to analyze the sputumand throat swabs. The results showed that the prevalence of respiratory tract bacterial pathogens was 46.66% in 30subject which was considered high. The bacterial pathogens isolated include; Streptococcus pyogenes, Klebsiella pneumoniaeand Streptococcus pneumoniae. The total viable bacterial count ranges from 3.6x105 to 8.9x105 Cfu/ml. The mostprevalent bacteria were Streptococcus pyogenes (64.29%), followed by klebsiella pneumoniae (28.57%) and the least wasStreptococcus pneumoniae (7.14%). In Owerri, the highest prevalence was recorded in Owerri municipal (50.00%) and theleast in New Owerri (40.00%). Age group of 51-60 years had the highest prevalence of 62.50%, while those between61-70 years were recorded least (25.00%). The most common respiratory symptom experienced by the carpenters were;Fever (96.00%), Headache (94.00%), itchy eyes (40.00%), cough (20%), chest pain (10.00%), difficulty in breathing(dyspnea) (10.00%) and sore throat (2.00%). There was high prevalence of respiratory tract bacterial pathogens amongcarpenters in Owerri, Imo state. The age and duration of employment of carpenters was also responsible for highprevalence of respiratory tract bacterial pathogens among carpenters. Therefore, occupational health programmesshould be introduced by the government to create awareness among the workers (carpenters) to make theirworkstations conducive and to go for regular health checkup. Carpenters should use nose mask during working (cutting of wood with saw and spraying of the wood with chemicals) to prevent the inhalation of wood dust and chemicals.