Reduced Haematopoietic Output in Automobile Mechanics and Sprayers with Chronic Exposure to Petrochemicals: A Case-Control Study in Cape Coast, Ghana

Table 1

Demographic characteristics of study population.

Variable	Controls (40) (%)	Mechanics (57) (%)	Sprayers (33) (%)	value
Age (yrs)
≤19	5 (12.5)	5 (8.8)	3 (9.1)
20–39	34 (85)	38 (66.6)	27 (91.8)
40–59	1 (2.5)	14 (24.6)	3 (9.1)
Gender
Male	40 (100)	57 (100)	33 (100)
Female	n/a	n/a	n/a
General symptoms Headache
Yes	11 (27.5)	35 (61.4)	18 (54.5)	0.0035
No	29 (72.5)	22 (38.6)	15 (45.5)
Work Experience (yrs)
<10	n/a	36 (63.2)	23 (69.7)
10–20	n/a	14 (24.6)	7 (21.2)
>20	n/a	7 (12.2)	3 (9.1)
Knowledge on any health risk of petrochemicals
Yes	34 (85)	17 (29.8)	18 (54.5)	<0.0001
No	6 (15)	40 (70.2)	15 (45.5)

Significant ; chi-square () test value; percent out of total; confidence interval 95% CI.