Abstract:
Background: Acute and chronic exposure to wood smoke is associated with adverse health
effects. This study investigated the potential effect of persistent exposure to woodsmoke
on hematological and biochemical indices among regular wood burners in the Cape Coast
Metropolis, Ghana.
Methodology: A total of 101 consenting participants were recruited into the study. Serum
lipids (total cholesterol, high density lipoprotein, triglyceride, low density lipoprotein, very
low-density lipoprotein and non-HDL), renal function (urea, creatinine), liver enzymes (AST
and ALT) were measured using an automated analyzer. The full blood count of participants
was also measured with an FBC automated analyzer. Demographic and lifestyle data of the
participants were obtained with the help of questionnaires.
Results: Individuals exposed to wood smoke were older (47.21±1.583), smoked fish
[36(47.4%)] and were predominantly females. Female preponderance [75(98.7%), P = 0.046],
low haemoglobin (HGB) [OR= 6.553 (95%CI=1.431 to 30.01), P = 0.0094], low MCV
[OR=12.43(95%CI=0.7133 to 216.5), P = 0.018], low MCH [OR=4.145(95%CI=1.284
to 13.38), P = 0.0151], low MCHC [OR=9.844(95%CI=3.029 to 31.99), P<0.0 0 01],
low granulocyte [OR=12.88(95%CI=4.382 to 37.84), P<0.0 0 01] and high lympho-
cyte [OR=21.86(95%CI=6.991 to 68.34), P<0.0 0 01] were significantly associated
with exposure to wood smoke. High cholesterol [OR=20.44(95%CI=2.610 to 160.2),
P = 0.0 0 02], triglyceride [OR=17.60(95%CI=1.022 to 303.2), P = 0.0052], non-HDL
cholesterol [OR=22.15(95%CI=5.490 to 89.38), P<0.0 0 01] and low HDL cholesterol
[OR=96(95%CI=12.0 0 to 767.9), P<0.0 0 01] were significantly associated with exposure
to wood smoke and are at increased risk of developing coronary heart disease (CHD)
[OR=474.7(95%CI=25.75 to 8750), P<0.0 0 01]. Age and duration of exposure significantly
correlated with cholesterol (r = 0.27, P = 0.02; r = 0.25, P = 0.03), LDL cholesterol (r = 0.31,
P = 0.01; r = 0.28, P = 0.01) and non-HDL (r = 0.31, P = 0.01; r = 0.24, P = 0.03). AST levels
among individuals exposed to wood smoke were also elevated [OR=69.83(95%CI=4.097 to
1190), P<0.0 0 01]).
