1Professor and Head, Department of Pulmonary medicine, KLE University J. N. Medical College, Belgaum, Karnataka, India
2Assistant Professor, Institute of Physiotherapy, KLE University, Belgaum
Online published on 19 June, 2015.
Approximately 2/3rd of women in rural India are exposed to biomass fuel in various forms. They are at risk of airflow limitation, however literature on prevalence of which in Indian rural women is limited.
The present cross sectional study aimed to find the prevalence of airflow limitation in women exposed to biomass fuel in rural areas of Belgaum district.
A total of 538 women exposed to biomass fuel in six rural areas of Belgaum district were subjected to handheld spirometry testing for airflow limitation which was defined as a ratio of forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1) to forced expiratory volume in six second (FEV6) less than 0.75.
Of 538 women, 79 women were detected with airflow limitation which accounted to 14.6%. Out of 79 women, 53 women were chest symptomatic (67.09%) and 26 women were asymptomatic (32.91%).
Prevalence of airflow limitation in women exposed to biomass fuel in rural areas of Belgaum district is as high as 14.6%, detected by handheld spirometer. However significant number of women were asymptomatic at the time of screening, which provides a window of opportunity for early intervention and prevention of deterioration of airflow limitation in Indian rural women.
Airflow limitation, Biomass fuel, Handheld spirometer, Rural women
