Evaluation of Lung Function and Body Mass Index Changes in Operators of Artisanal Refineries in Rivers State, Nigeria

The influence of different artisanal refineries in the Niger Delta region is still a significant health, economic and environmental setback. Consequently, the present study comparatively examined the lung function and body mass index changes in operators of artisanal refineries (OAR) in Rivers State, Nigeria. This cross-sectional survey adopted a multi-stage sampling technique (including purposive and snowball tools) to recruit 203 (including 120 OAR-exposed and 83 non-OAR exposed) consenting and apparently healthy adult male and female subjects. With the use of the automated spirometer, the basic pulmonary function indices were recorded from the study subjects. Quantitative data obtained from the subjects were subjected to statistical analyses using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 21.0. The result showed that the male control subjects had raised levels of FVC, FEV1 and FEV1/FVC compared to those of the male OAR subjects; although, only those of FEV1 were significant (P