Prevalence of respiratory tract bacterial pathogens among carpenters in Owerri, Imo State Nigeria
A survey on the prevalence of respiratory tract bacterial pathogens among carpenters inOwerri, Imo states was carried out between the month of August and September; 2021. A totalof 30 samples, 15 sputum and 15 throat swabs were randomly collected from carpenters intwo different local government areas of Owerri; to determine the prevalence of bacterialpathogens in the respiratory tract of the carpenters. To determine the prevalence of age-relatedrespiratory tract bacterial pathogens among the carpenters. To identify the highest bacterialpathogens, present in the sputum samples collected from the carpenters. To determine themicrobial load among the infected subjects. To determine the knowledge, attitude, practicesof the carpenters. Standard microbiological techniques were used to analyze the sputum andthroat swabs. The results showed that the prevalence of respiratory tract bacterial pathogenswas 46.66% in 30 subject which was considered high. The bacterial pathogens isolated include;Streptococcus pyogenes, Klebsiella pneumoniae and Streptococcus pneumoniae. The total viablebacterial count ranges from 3.6x105 to 8.9x105 Cfu/ml. The most prevalent bacteria wereStreptococcus pyogenes (64.29%), followed by klebsiella pneumoniae (28.57%) and the least wasStreptococcus pneumoniae (7.14%). In Owerri, the highest prevalence was recorded in Owerrimunicipal (50.00%) and the least in New Owerri (40.00%). Age group of 51-60 years had thehighest prevalence of 62.50%, while those between 61-70 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 inbreathing (dyspnea) (10.00%) and sore throat (2.00%). There was high prevalence of respiratorytract bacterial pathogens among carpenters in Owerri, Imo state. The age and duration ofemployment of carpenters was also responsible for high prevalence of respiratory tractbacterial pathogens among carpenters. Therefore, occupational health programmes should beintroduced by the government to create awareness among the workers (carpenters) to maketheir workstations conducive and to go for regular health checkup. Carpenters should use nosemask during working (cutting of wood with saw and spraying of the wood with chemicals) toprevent the inhalation of wood dust and chemicals