Pulmonary Function Test of Fish Mongers in Port Harcourt Metropolis

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.