A Study of Workers at Construction Sites
in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria
FEATURED PAPER
By Unwana Mbosowo Ebong
Abuja, Nigeria
Abstract
Cigarette smoking remains an important occupational health concern among project construction workers who are simultaneously exposed to physically demanding work and environmental hazards such as dust and fumes. This study examined the effect of cigarette smoking on the health of project construction workers at project construction sites in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State. The study sought to determine the prevalence and pattern of cigarette smoking among project construction workers at project construction sites in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State; assess the level of knowledge of project construction workers regarding the health effects associated with cigarette smoking; identify the major health problems experienced by project construction workers who smoke cigarettes at project construction sites in Uyo; examine the relationship between cigarette smoking and selected health outcomes among project construction workers in Uyo and assess the measures adopted by project construction workers and site management to prevent or reduce the health effects of cigarette smoking at project construction sites.
A descriptive cross-sectional design was adopted, and 384 project construction workers were selected using a multistage sampling technique. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire and analysed using frequencies, percentages, Chi-square tests and logistic regression at a 0.05 level of significance. Findings indicated that 25.0% of respondents were current smokers, with 81.3% of smokers reporting daily smoking. More than half (55.7%) demonstrated good knowledge of the health effects of cigarette smoking. Reduced physical endurance (64.6%), persistent cough (60.4%), excessive fatigue (58.3%) and shortness of breath (54.2%) were the major health problems reported by current smokers. Significant associations were observed between cigarette smoking and persistent cough, shortness of breath, wheezing, fatigue, reduced physical endurance and chest discomfort (p < 0.05). Preventive measures were generally inadequate, with 47.9% of respondents rating them as inadequate.
The study concluded that cigarette smoking constituted a significant health concern among project construction workers and may compound occupational health risks. Strengthening smoke-free policies, health education, routine health screening and accessible smoking-cessation services at project construction sites were recommended.
Keywords: Cigarette smoking, project construction workers, occupational health, health outcomes, smoking cessation, Uyo.
1.0 Introduction
Cigarette smoking remains one of the most important preventable causes of disease and premature death worldwide. Tobacco smoke contains thousands of chemical substances, many of which are toxic, carcinogenic or capable of damaging vital organs. According to the World Health Organization (WHO, 2026), tobacco use is responsible for more than seven million deaths annually and is strongly associated with cardiovascular diseases, respiratory diseases, stroke, cancer, reduced immunity and other debilitating health conditions. Smoking also affects people who do not smoke through exposure to second-hand smoke. Consequently, tobacco use constitutes not only an individual health problem but also an important occupational and public health concern.
The health consequences of cigarette smoking are particularly important among workers whose occupations already expose them to physical and environmental hazards. Project construction work is physically demanding and is frequently performed in environments characterized by dust, fumes, chemicals, excessive noise, heat, vibration, manual handling and other occupational risks. Project construction workers may therefore experience a combination of occupational and behavioural exposures that can adversely affect their health. A systematic review by the authors of a 2023 review found that project construction workers commonly experience respiratory conditions such as cough, breathlessness and asthma because of exposure to dust, respirable crystalline silica, fumes, vapours, asbestos fibres and gases. Importantly, smoking and prolonged exposure to these occupational hazards were found to increase the risk of respiratory disease among project construction workers.
The relationship between smoking and project construction work is also significant because cigarette use appears to be relatively common among workers in the project construction sector. Evidence from project construction workers in the United States has shown substantially higher tobacco use among project construction workers than among workers in several other occupational groups…
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How to cite this paper: Ebong, U. M. (2026). Effect of Cigarette Smoking on the Health of Project Construction Workers: A Study of Workers at Construction Sites in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria; PM World Journal, Vol. XV, Issue IX, September. Available online at https://pmworldjournal.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/pmwj168-Sep2026-Ebong-Effects-of-Cigarette-Smoking-on-Construction-Workers.pdf
About the Author
Unwana Mbosowo Ebong
Abuja, Nigeria
Unwana Mbosowo Ebong, RN, RM, BSc (Health Education), MSc (Public Health), PhD-in-view (Public Health Education) is a young, dynamic, focused and research-oriented individual who believes in absolute commitment to excellence, with a pre-conceived notion for problem-solving. Born on December 1, to the Royal Family of Elder/Deaconess Bassey Udofia in Nsit Ibom LGA of Akwa Ibom State, she obtained her First School Leaving Certificate (FSLC) from Eyiesana ACM Primary School, Obo Ntong, Nsit Ibom. After, her secondary education at Comprehensive Secondary School, Afaha-Abia, Nsit Ibom in 2006, she proceeded to obtain her Registered Nurse Certificate from the Central School of Nursing, Ikot Ekpene Akwa Ibom State in 2010 and a Registered Midwife Certificate from the School of Midwifery, Anua, Uyo, in 2014. She also obtained her Bachelor of Education Certificate from the University of Uyo, Uyo in 2022. Her aspirations for the pedagogy of her skills also earned her a Master of Public Health Certificate from the National Open University of Nigeria in 2026. She is a health educator, a telehealth nurse and wellness coach as well as the Principal Consultant of Mbright Health Foundation, Ikot Ekpene. She is happily married to Dr. Mbosowo Ebong and the marriage blessed with children. She can be contacted through unwanamboso31@gmail.com.
