Abstract
Burning incense (bakhour) is a common cultural practice in Saudi Arabia. However, its health risk assessment has rarely been studied. This study aims to investigate the association between exposure to incense smoke on lung function impairments and respiratory symptoms among young adults in Saudi Arabia. A community-based cross-sectional study was designed with a representative study sample (N = 125) in the Eastern Province of Saudi Arabia. Study participants, exposed group (n = 45), working in bakhour soap and matched control (n = 80), no history of occupational exposure to bakhour smoke, were recruited randomly from the population registry. Socio-demographic and respiratory symptom information were collected through a questionnaire developed based on European Community Respiratory Health Survey II (ECRHS II). Lung function measurements were conducted using a field spirometer. The overall prevalence of wheezing or whistling was 16.8%, with a higher prevalence in exposed group 35.5%. In adjusted models, exposed to incense smoke remained positively associated with respiratory symptoms: wheezing or whistling; breathlessness; chest tightness shortness of breath; woken up by an attack of coughing. Our study suggests that inhaled incense smoke in occupation or at home is a risk factor of lung function impairments among adult population in Saudi Arabia.