Introduction: Occupational exposure to wood dust is recognized as an important risk factor for chronic respiratory diseases. Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between respiratory symptoms and functional measures on the one hand, and exposure to wood dust on the other hand in Parakou in 2024. Methods: This was a comparative cross-sectional study with data prospectively collected between June and September 2024. One hundred and eight carpenters (group exposed to wood dust) and 108 administrative agents (group not exposed to wood dust) were included in this study. A questionnaire was used to collect data on the occurrence of respiratory symptoms. A physical examination and pulmonary function testing were performed for each worker. Data were double-entered into Epi Data software version 2.0.7.7.22 and were analyzed using R 3.6.0 software. Results: The prevalence of respiratory symptoms occurring in the last 12 months was significantly higher among carpenters (93.52%) compared to administrative agents (55.56%), with a p-value < 0.001. Work-related respiratory symptoms, including rhinorrhea (p < 0.001), epistaxis (p = 0.016), cough (p < 0.001), sputum (p < 0.001), chest tightness (p < 0.001), dyspnoea (p = 0.009), and wheezing (p = 0.002), were significantly higher in carpenters than in administrative workers. Restrictive ventilatory disorders were significantly more common in carpenters than in administrative workers (48.15% vs. 20.37%; p < 0.001). The carpenter profession was significantly associated with the occurrence of respiratory symptoms, after adjustment for work environment, exposure to biomass, and duration in the profession (aOR = 6.55; 95% CI = 2.72 - 17.7; p-value < 0.001). Conclusion: Exposure to wood dust among carpenters adversely affects respiratory function; hence the need to raise awareness among these professionals.
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