Exposure to Second-Hand Smoke Among Workers in Closed Bars and Restuarants in Lagos, Nigeria

Olanrewaju. O Onigbogi, lanreonigbogi@yahoo.com, College of Medicine, University of Lagos, Modupe Onigbogi, University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Omobola Ojo, Federal Medical Center,  

Aim:

Tobacco is a common feature of many drinking bars and restaurants in Nigeria. This trend has the potential of reversing recent successes recorded in reducing tobacco use in the country. There is a need to examine the exposure of workers in these places to second-hand smoke because of health concerns. Our study therefore sought to determine the exposure to second-hand smoke in these centers. 

Methods:

Respondent-driven sampling was used to recruit sixty-seven (67) workers who were interviewed in eight bars. The questionnaire elicited responses about their exposure to tobacco smoking during work, respiratory symptoms over the past month and willingness to change jobs if they had a choice. The data was analyzed using SPSS version 15. 

Results:

Fifty respondents (72%) reported exposure to second-hand tobacco smoke daily at work.Increased exposure was associated with size of the bars (OR=1.45, 95% CI: 1.31-1.71), length in business (OR=1.31, 95% CI: 1.11-1.68). Decreased exposure was associated with use of bar for other social activities (OR=0.41, 95% CI: 0.2-0.72) and proximity to governmental agencies (OR=0.24, 95% CI: 0.17-0.63). Thirty-three respondents 950%) reported that they had exhibited respiratory symptoms within the past seven days. Forty-three respondents (60%) of respondents indicated a willingness to quit the job for another if they had an immediate opportunity. 

Conclusions:

The high level of exposure to second-hand tobacco smoke may be linked to poor enforcement of indoor smoking protection laws and social acceptability of smoking in bars. The high level of willingness to quit the job may be an indication that the workers link their respiratory symptoms to exposure to tobacco smoke. There is a need to improve indoor smoking prevention laws in the bars to improve public health.