Browsing by Author "Odongo, Alfred Owino"

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    Assessment of occupational exposures to lead among artisans working in the informal automobile sector in Nakuru town, Kenya
    (Egerton University, 2019-11) Odongo, Alfred Owino
    Lead is a common toxic heavy metal with unique physical and chemical properties that make it suitable for a variety of applications in automobile industry. The artisans in the informal automobile industry are involved in diverse occupational tasks such as spray painting and welding that predispose them to health risks associated with lead exposures. Their work presents risks of inhalation, dermal absorption or ingestion of lead particles. The objective of this study was to evaluate occupational exposures to lead and associated health risks among the artisans. A comparative cross-sectional study was conducted and data collected using structured questionnaire, observational checklist and laboratory analysis. In the study, 115 purposively sampled participants participated. Stratified and proportionately sampled 55 artisans were recruited from 10 workshops and 60 college students as the non-exposed comparative group. Flame Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometry (FAAS) was used to analyze lead concentrations in blood (n=30) and scalp hair (n=30) samples. Task-based airborne lead samples were analysed using Inductively Coupled Plasma Atomic Emission Spectroscopy (ICP-AES) in accordance with NIOSH 7300 standard method. Serum Alanine aminotransferase (ALT) activity and estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) measurements were conducted using Reflotron biochemical auto-analyzer. Data was analysed using descriptive statistics, regression analysis, ANOVA, Chi-square, t-test and Prevalence Ratios (PR) calculated. Results showed that there was statistically significant differences in mean airborne lead exposure levels in the different occupational tasks (F (4, 15) =10.087, p=0.000). A high statistically significant mean blood lead (BPb) level was recorded among artisans compared to students (p=0.001). The mean BPb exceeded the WHO biological exposure index (BEI) of concern for adults (p=0.049). There was a positive correlation between task based airborne lead exposure levels with BPb levels (r=0.68, p=0.001). The artisans had a statistically significant decrease in eGFR compared to the students (p =0.000). However, the mean eGFR values were within the normal reference value (>90 mL/min/1.73m2). In conclusion, the artisans were occupationally exposed to lead and task based airborne lead was a statistically significant predictor of blood lead levels (p =0.001). Key recommendations are to institute intervention measures at the industry to curb lead health risks and possible chronic health effects, review the legislative framework on occupational safety and health for the sector and put surveillance system that integrates lead screening and testing among the study participants
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    Heavy metals and parasitic geohelminths exposure among geophagous pregnant women in Nakuru Municipality
    (Egerton University, 2015-02) Odongo, Alfred Owino
    Geophagia is defined as deliberate consumption of earths’ materials e.g. soil, clay and soft stones. The practice is widespread among pregnant women and there are conflicting views as to whether it is beneficial to health or not. Geophagic materials may be a source of micronutrients though the materials may bind the micronutrients thus reducing or hindering their bioavailability in the body. Geophagia is closely associated with geohelminthic infections among pregnant women and heavy metal poisoning which constitute significant public health problem in many developing countries like Kenya. The main objective of this study was to determine whether pregnant women practicing geophagia in Nakuru Municipality are exposed to heavy metals and parasitic geohelminths. The research design was descriptive cross sectional study whereas data was collected using structured questionnaire, laboratory analysis and observations. A total of 431 pregnant women in different trimesters of pregnancy were interviewed and 38 geophagic materials analysed. The study sites comprised of level 2 and 3 Nakuru municipal health facilities. Demographic survey was conducted in the month of January to April 2014. The geophagic materials were subjected to standard digestion procedures and analyzed for Zinc, Lead and Iron by atomic absorption spectroscopy (AAS). Analysis results showed that geophagic materials contained elevated levels of Fe at mean concentration value of 80.10ppm, Pb 3.28ppm and Zn1.81ppm for a 1.00 g sample. An average of 20grams of the geophagic material was consumed per day. The pregnant women were exposed to 65.52ppmPb per day .This exceeded the WHO lead exposure limits of 25ppm/day for pregnant women. The materials were also subjected to microscopic examination for Ascaris lumbricoides, Trichuris trichiura, Taenia Spp, Necator americanus and Ancylostoma duodenale. Analysis showed that the geophagic materials contained no observable eggs, larvae or adult species of the geohelminths. Both point and period prevalence rates of geophagia were determined to be 35 and 58 per 100 pregnant mothers respectively. In conclusion, there was relatively high point prevalence rate of geophagia, the women were exposed to heavy metals-Iron, Zinc and Lead but there was no exposure to geohelminths. There is need to integrate public health education on geophagia, lead screening and testing with antenatal support care systems. This will enhance maternal and child health thus reducing infant and maternal morbidity and mortality rates.