العربية 
Sana’a — As part of the graduation project defenses for final-year students in the Clinical Pharmacy program at the Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Science and Technology (UST), the faculty witnessed on Tuesday, March 4, 2025, the discussion of an important scientific research project entitled “The Prevalence of Respiratory Symptoms and Pulmonary Function Disorders Among Carpenters in the Capital City of Sana’a,” which aims to shed light on the health effects of the carpentry profession on the respiratory system.
The study was conducted on a sample of (300 carpenters) in the city of Sana’a, chosen randomly from several carpentry workshops due to the unavailability of official data on this group in Yemen. Data was collected using a comprehensive questionnaire covering social and demographic information, medical and surgical history, respiratory symptoms, and the impact of environmental factors such as dust and weather on respiratory health.
The research was not limited to questionnaires; a Peak Flow Meter test was also conducted for all participants to evaluate lung functions, adding an important practical dimension to the study and helping to measure the extent to which the respiratory system of workers in this profession is affected.
The results of the research revealed a high prevalence of respiratory symptoms among carpenters, with a large number recording chronic cough, shortness of breath, and wheezing, especially among those who spent many years in this profession. Pulmonary function measurements also showed a noticeable decrease among some participants, indicating potential long-term risks to the respiratory system.
The researchers recommended several key recommendations, including enhancing health awareness among carpenters regarding the risks associated with inhaling wood dust and its effects on lung health, as well as encouraging the use of personal protective equipment such as protective masks and air filters in carpentry workshops to reduce direct exposure to dust.
The researchers also recommended conducting further studies on the effects of industrial dust on public health, especially given the scarcity of research on this topic in Yemen. Furthermore, they urged competent authorities to improve the working environment in carpentry workshops by implementing occupational safety standards and reducing exposure to harmful materials.
The defense was attended by Prof. Dr. Doaa Anwar, Dean of the Faculty of Pharmacy, research supervisors Dr. Abdul-Razzaq Al-Khazan and Dr. Abdul-Salam Halboub, in addition to faculty members Dr. Batah and Dr. Abdul-Wali Al-Jazaifa. They praised the researchers’ efforts in highlighting an important health problem that is often overlooked, emphasized the importance of utilizing the study’s findings to develop preventive strategies that contribute to improving the health of workers in the carpentry profession, and stressed the necessity of pursuing scientific research in this field to provide practical and effective solutions to protect workers from occupational hazards.
This research is considered a qualitative addition to the health and research field, as it contributes to understanding the effects of various professions on public health and enhances the role of clinical pharmacy in providing recommendations based on scientific studies that contribute to improving the quality of life for groups working in environments exposed to health risks.
