Rate of incense usage in the northern part of Nigeria and its adverse effects among users

Maryam Ibrahim Rimi; Saeed Suleiman Abdulkadir; Astaharam Ardo Jabbo; Ahmed Armiya’u Yelwa

doi:10.18203/2320-6012.ijrms20222833

Authors

Maryam Ibrahim Rimi Medical Laboratory Science Department, Faculty of Allied Health Science, Kaduna State University Kaduna, Nigeria
Saeed Suleiman Abdulkadir Medical Laboratory Science Department, Faculty of Allied Health Science, Kaduna State University Kaduna, Nigeria
Astaharam Ardo Jabbo Medical Laboratory Service Department, National Ear Care Centre, Kaduna, Nigeria
Ahmed Armiya’u Yelwa Medical Laboratory Science Department, Faculty of Allied Health Science, Kaduna State University Kaduna, Nigeria

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.18203/2320-6012.ijrms20222833

Keywords:

Aerodynamic particle sizer, Hygroscopic tandem differential mobility analyser, Incense bakhour, Incense smoke, Scanning mobility particle sizer

Abstract

Background: Incense is an oleoresin that seeps from wounds in the trunks and leaves of Boswellia trees (B. carterii and B. papyrifera, endemic to Arabia, Africa, China, and India, respectively). Incense is traditionally burned for a variety of home functions in different cultures, and it has been linked to airborne pigmented and depigmented dermatitis.

Methods: Questionnaires were developed using SurveyHeart and administered to determine the rate of incense usage in some households in northern Nigeria. Responses were compiled, data collated and the findings showed that four hundred and sixty (460) people responded.

Results: The highest age range that responded was between thirty to thirty-nine (30-39) years with forty-eight (48%). Seventy-three (73%) were married and about 62% have one to five (1-5) children. Ninety-five percent (95%) of them use incense bakhour to neutralize odour. The survey showed that most people have been using it for more than ten (10) years. The research also tells that most respondents burn about ten (10) grams daily. Majority of the respondents displayed no respiratory conditions as well as their family members while thirty-two (32%) claimed they and their families suffer some of respiratory ailment.

Conclusions: In conclusion, the use of incense in the northern part of the country is on the high side (94.86% out of 460 respondents) both in frequency and dose-wise which poses as a serious health condition to its users due to the contents of the incense and approximately 68% of the respondents have no knowledge of its adverse effects.

Metrics

Metrics Loading ...

Author Biography

Maryam Ibrahim Rimi, Medical Laboratory Science Department, Faculty of Allied Health Science, Kaduna State University Kaduna, Nigeria

Lecturer II

References

Sousa Basto A, Azenha A. Contact dermatitis due to incense. Cont Dermat. 1991;24(4):312-3.

Hayakawa R, Matsunaga K, Arima Y. Depigmented contact dermatitis due to incense. Cont Dermat. 1987;16(5):272-4.

Liou SH, Cheng SY, Lai FM, Yang JL. Respiratory symptoms and pulmonary function in mill workers exposed to wood dust. Am J Industr Med. 1996;30(3):293-9.

McBride SJ, Ferro AR, Ott WR, Switzer PA, Hildemann LM. Investigations of the proximity effect for pollutants in the indoor environment. J Expos Sci Environ Epidemiol. 1999;9(6):602-21.

Jetter JJ, Guo Z, McBrian JA, Flynn MR. Characterization of emissions from burning incense. Sci Tot Environ. 2002;295:51-67.

Dossing M, Khan J, Al-Rabiah F. Risk factors for chronic obstructive lung disease in Saudi Arabia. Respir Med. 1994;88:519-522.

Koo LC, Ho JH. Diet as a confounder of the association between air pollution and female lung cancer: Hong Kong studies on exposures to environmental tobacco smoke, incense, and cooking fumes as examples. Lung Cancer. 1996;14:S47-61.

Lo HW, Hsu SC, Hung MC. EGFR signalling pathway in breast cancers: from traditional signal transduction to direct nuclear translocalization. Breast Cancer Res Treat. 2006;95(3):211-8.

Ger LP, Liou SH, Shen CY, Kao SJ, Chen KT. Risk factors of lung cancer. J Formos Med Assoc. 1992;91:S222-31.

Dawod ST, Hussain AA. Childhood asthma in Qatar. Ann Allerg Asthma Immunol. 1995;75(4):360-4.

Tuan YF. Topophilia: A study of environmental perception, attitudes, and values. Columbia University Press; 1990.

Friborg JT, Yuan JM, Wang R, Koh WP, Lee HP, Yu MC. Incense use and respiratory tract carcinomas: a prospective cohort study. Cancer Interdiscipl Int J Am Cancer Soc. 2008;113(7):1676-84.

Preston-Martin S, Yu MC, Benton B, Henderson BE: N-nitroso compounds and childhood brain tumours: a case control study. Cancer Res. 1982;42(12):5240-5.

Chen Y, Ji S, Chen C, Peng Q, Wang D, Li Y. Single-atom catalysts: synthetic strategies and electrochemical applications. Joule. 2018;2(7):1242-64.

Huynh CK, Sarolainen H, Vu-Duc T, Guillemin M, Iselin F. impact of thermal proofing of a church on its indoor air quality. The combustion of candles and incense as source of pollution. Scientific Total Environment 102: 241-251 in the toxicity of airborne fine particulate matter. Chem Res Toxicol. 1991;14:1371-7.

Omar AA, Abdullah AA, Bazdawi MA. Home of exposure to Arabian incense (bakhour) and asthma symptoms in children: a community survey in 2 regions in Oman. BMC Pulmon Med. 2009;9:23.

Lowengart RA, Peters JM, Cicioni C, Buckley J, Bernstein L, Preston-Martin S, et al. Childhood leukaemia and parents occupational and home exposures. J Nat Cancer Inst. 1987;79:39-46.

Van Steensel-Moll HA, Valkenberg HA, Van Zanen GE. Childhood leukaemia and parental occupation. Am J Epidemiol. 1985;121:216-24.

Way TD, Kao MC, Lin JK. Degradation of HER2/neu by apigenin induces apoptosis through cytochrome c release and caspase-3 activation in HER2/neu-overexpressing breast cancer cells. Febs Letters. 2005;579(1):145-52.

Danghbjerg P. Is a particle board in the home detrimental to health? Environ Res. 1989;48:154-63.

Sischo L, Broder H. Oral health-related quality of life: what, why, how, and future implications. J Den Res. 2011;90(11):1264-70.

Yang CY, Chiu JF, Cheng MF, Lin MC. Effects of Indoor environmental factors on respiratory health of children in a subtropical climate. Environ Res. 1997;75:49-55.