Tu231 - Assessment of Hematological Parameters of Petrol Filling Workers at Petrol Stations in Gondar Town, Northwest Ethiopia: A Comparative Cross-sectional Study
Background: Petrol filling workers are highly vulnerable to these harmful substances which lead to blood disorders such as leukemia and aplastic anemia, and bone marrow failure. Thus, this study aimed to assess the hematological parameters of petrol-filling workers.
Methods: A comparative cross-sectional study was conducted from January to March 2019 in Gondar town, Ethiopia. A total of 110 study participants comprising 55 study groups and 55 controls group were recruited by a convenient sampling technique. 3 ml of venous blood was collected for the determination of hematological parameters. Independent t-test and Mann-Whitney U test were used to compare the mean or median difference between parametric and non-parametric parameters, respectively. Pearson product-moment and Spearman’s rank-order bi-variable correlations analyses were used to describe the correlation between hematological parameters with duration of exposure. P value ≤ 0.05 was considered statistically significant.
Results: The study revealed that mean RBC and Hb level as well as the median HCT, MCHC, platelet count, absolute lymphocytes count, and RDW values of petrol filling workers showed a significant increment compared with the controls. On the other hand, the MCH value of petrol filling workers showed a significant decrement compared with controls. Moreover, the duration of exposure showed a significant positive correlation with RBC and MCHC. However, a significant negative correlation was observed with MCV.
Conclusion: This study showed that the majority of hematological parameters of petrol filling workers showed an increment compared with controls. However, the further longitudinal studies should be conducted to explore the impacts on hematopoiesis.
