ASSESSMENT OF RESPIRATORY SYMPTOMS AND ASSOCIATED FACTORS AMONG HOUSE PAINTERS IN KINONDONI MUNICIPALITY TANZANIA

Background: House painters are increased as people prefer to live in good and decorated houses. Mishandling of paints and inhalation of paint materials become a problem as this paints contain chemicals which are poisonous upon inhalation. However, few studies have assessed respiratory symptoms among house painters in the Africa. The main objective of this study was to assess respiratory symptoms and associated factors among house painters. Methods: We used a questionnaire to interview 172 house painters and 148 non exposed group in different construction sites. A sub sample of 25 house painters was evaluated for lung function using EasyOne spirometer Results: The study revealed significant results when respiratory symptoms were compared among painters and non-exposed group (p<0.05). Low level of knowledge among workers and poor use of PPE were the main factors associated with exposed to paints. Protection of those workers would be only successfully if enforcement policy is enacted about every site to provide personal protective equipment (PPE) to workers. Conclusion: House painters are exposed to different painting materials and therefore appropriate measures are recommended.