Abstract:
Background. Automobile mechanics and sprayers are at a higher risk of exposure to hazardous chemicals such as polycyclic
aromatic hydrocarbons and heavy metals which may cause adverse health outcomes. This study aimed to use reticulocyte count
as an indirect measure of the haematological output in automobile mechanics and sprayers in the Cape Coast Metropolis, Ghana.
Method. This cross-sectional study recruited 130 participants: 90 cases (57 automobile mechanics and 33 automobile sprayers)
and 40 controls (nonautomobile workers). Venous blood samples were drawn from the participants and examined for full blood
count and absolute reticulocyte count. Semi-structured questionnaire was used to collect demographic and occupational safety
information from participants. Results. 75.6% of cases had never received occupational safety training. Whereas 35.1% of automobile
mechanics routinely siphoned fuel, 36.4% of automobile sprayers never used nose masks in the discharge of their duties. Controls
had significantly higher WBC counts compared to mechanics (𝑝 = 0.0001; 5.04 ± 1.7 versus 3.81 ± 1.1), or sprayers (𝑝 = 0.0004;
5.04 ± 1.7 versus 3.74 ± 0.9). Lymphocyte, monocyte, and platelet counts were also significantly higher in controls compared to
cases. Whereas RBC counts were significantly higher in controls compared to automobile mechanics (4.85 versus 4.66; 𝑝 = 0.034),
haemoglobin levels were significantly higher in automobile sprayers compared to controls (15.13 versus 14.1 g/dl; 𝑝 = 0.0126).
Absolute reticulocyte count was significantly higher in controls compared to cases [𝑝 < 0.0001; (56.88 ± 32.14) × 109 /L (controls)
versus (25.31 ± 15.75) × 109 /L (sprayers) or (33.27 ± 24.42) × 109 /L (mechanics)]. Among the cases however, only RBC counts were
significantly lower in automobile mechanics compared to automobile sprayers (𝑝 = 0.0088; 4.66 ± 0.4 versus 4.85 ± 0.5). Conclusion.
It was evident that both automobile mechanics and sprayers had significantly reduced haematopoietic output. Occupational safety
training is not given priority and must be addressed.
