Evaluation of Alterations in Basic Cardiac Functions in Operators of Artisanal Refineries in Rivers State, Nigeria

Abstract

The impact of numerous artisanal refineries on the populace in Niger Delta region has been a great source of mainly health, economic and environmental concerns. Thus, the present study comparatively assessed the alterations of basic cardiac functions that may be associated with the operation of artisanal refineries (OAR) in Rivers State of Nigeria. This cross-sectional survey used a multi-stage sampling technique (including purposive and snowball tools) to recruit 203 (including 120 OAR-exposed and 83 non-OAR exposed) consenting and apparently healthy adult male and female subjects. With the use of the electrocardiographic (ECG) machine, the basic ECG indices were recorded from the study subjects. Quantitative data obtained from the subjects were subjected to statistical analyses using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 21.0. The result indicated significantly (P<0.0) elevated heart rates in the OAR-exposed subjects when compared to their non-OAR-exposed counterparts. Amongst the various ECG features, the exposed subjects predominantly presented with left atrial enlargement (LAE) (male exposed=57% and female exposed =46.3%) as against none in the unexposed group. And there was no significant association of the incidences of Abnormal/clinical ECG Features between the actively exposed (OAR operators) and passively exposed (residents in same city who are non-OAR operators) subjects. In conclusion, the operation of artisanal refineries in our locale may potentially predispose its operators to significant elevation of heart rate and incidences of abnormal ECG features.