RESPIRATORY HEALTH STATUS AND ITS CORRELATION TO ANTHROPOMETRIC PARAMETERS OF UNDERGRADUATE STUDENTS OF IMO STATE UNIVERSITY, P.M.B 2000, OWERRI, IMO STATE

Alagwu E.A and Alagwu N.D.

Department of Physiology, College of Medicine,

Imo State University, Owerri, Imo State.

Abstract: Respiratory health status and its correlation to anthropometric parameters – Height, body weight, age and body mass index (BMI) of undergraduate students of Imo State University, Owerri, were studied using Wright Peak Expiratory Flow Meter. Out of 906 questionnaires administered to the students for the study, 444 were completed and returned. This number constitutes the study group (test). 88 out of 444 students live in industrial areas of Owerri, 29 students smoke cigarettes and 68 students had previous history of cough. The study lasted for 3months and Peak Expiratory Flow Rate (PEFR] and its correlation to anthropometric parameters among the students were established. Results obtained showed that PEFR for male students were significantly higher than female students (P<.005). It also showed that   PEFR for male and female students living in industrial areas of Owerri   were significantly lower than their counterparts living in non industrial areas of Owerri (P<0.05). PEFR for smokers were significantly reduced than non smokers(P<0.05). On the anthropometric parameters, it was observed that PEFR increased linearly with increase in age from 16-29 years and declined from 30-40 years. PEFR was also observed to significantly increase with increase in height and body weight. Students with previous history of cough have their PEFR reduced compared with those free from cough (P<0.05). However, PEFR was unaffected by body mass index (BMI] in the present study. It is therefore concluded that respiratory health status and its correlation to anthropometric parameters of Imo State University undergraduate students were affected by height, age, sex and body weight with maximum respiratory functional activities between 22-29years.

Keywords: Respiratory, Health status, peak expiratory flow rate, Imo State University students.