ASSESSMENT OF CARDIAC FUNCTION IN FARMERS OCCUPATIONALLY EXPOSED TO PESTICIDES IN GBOKO LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA, BENUE STATE.

• Oluchukwu Maryrose Obiorah,*  
• Chukwuemeka Samuel Meludu,  
• Ejike Christian Onah,  
• Chinenye Stellamaris Okeke,  
• Chukwuemeka Emmanuel Ogbodo,  
• Chinonso Juliet Akaeme,  
• Kelechi Christian Agwaraonye

Abstract

Background of Study: Pesticide is “any substance or mixture of substances intended for preventing, destroying, repelling, or mitigating any pest”. Despite the benefits of using pesticides for pests, weeds, and disease control, there have been concerns about adverse effects of these compounds on the human health. This cross-sectional study was designed to assess the cardiovascular status of farmers occupationally exposed to pesticides, in Gboko Local Government Area, Benue State, Nigeria. Materials and Methods: One hundred ten (110) participants comprising 70 farmers and 40 controls were recruited for the study using a multi-stage random sampling technique. They were aged between 20-60 years and were age-matched. Five (5) ml of fasting blood samples were collected from each participant for the determination of Apolipoprotein A1 (ApoA1), Apolipoprotein B-100 (ApoB100) and Troponin I level using standard laboratory methods. Also, the body mass index (BMI), systolic blood pressure (SBP) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) of the participants were also determined. Results: The results showed significantly decreased mean BMI (23.02±3.94 Vs 24.94±3.12; p= 0.031) and serum ApoA1 (180.73±13.52 Vs 187.27±15.65; p=0.024) while the mean SBP (140.49±19.34 Vs 119.75±10.30; p=0.000), DBP (82.86±12.16 Vs 77.53±7.76; p=0.014) and mean serum Troponin-I (3.11±5.46 Vs 1.38±0.15; p=0.049) levels were significantly increased in the farmers compared to control respectively. However, there was no significant difference in the mean serum ApoB-100 level in the farmers when compared to the control group (p=0.104). Conclusion: This study suggests that occupational exposure to pesticides may play a role in the alteration of cardiac function.

Keywords

Pesticides exposure, Cardiac function, Apolipoprotein, Troponin-I, Body mass index, Blood pressure.

Ahead of Print Date : 2024-04-26