Background: Wood dust is one of the most common occupational exposures worldwide and is associated with respiratory symptoms, chronic lung impairment, and reduced oxygen saturation. In Ethiopia, evidence on its effect on wood workers remains limited.

Objective: To assess pulmonary function status and oxygen saturation levels among wood workers in Sawla Town, southern Ethiopia, in 2024.

Methods: A community-based comparative cross-sectional study was conducted among wood workers and age- and sex-matched nonwood workers (office workers at the Sawla campus). Stratified sampling was used for the exposed group, and convenience sampling was used for the nonexposed group. The chi-square test, independent t test, one-way analysis of variance, and Pearson correlation were used for analysis.

Results: Respiratory symptoms were significantly more common among wood workers (72.86%) than among nonexposed participants (25.71%), with an odds ratio of 7.75. Pulmonary function parameters were significantly lower in wood workers than in non-wood workers: FVC (2.997 vs 3.758 L, p < 0.001), FEV1 (2.52 vs 3.30 L, p < 0.001), FEV1/FVC (84.51% vs 87.71%, p = 0.025), PEFR (5.13 vs 5.57 L/s, p = 0.019), and FEF25-75% (4.19 vs 5.04 L/s, p < 0.001). The mean oxygen saturation was also lower among wood workers (95.41%) than non-wood workers 96.17%, p < 0.001).

Conclusion: Wood workers are at significantly greater risk of respiratory symptoms, reduced lung function, and decreased oxygen saturation than nonexposed individuals.

Keywords: Respiratory Symptoms; Pulmonary Function; Wood Workers; Oxygen Saturation

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