Abstract
Background: Artisans constitute a significant proportion of the workforce in Nigeria and are exposed to workplace hazards which pose a risk to their health. Little or no occupational health services are provided for these workers who are mainly in the informal sector.
Aims: To assess health problems, workplace hazards and health care needs of artisans as a basis for developing occupational health services for these workers
Methods: A community-based cross sectional study was carried out. A total sampling of artisans in Ward 3 of Ibadan North Local Government area was done. A semi-structured interviewer administered questionnaire was utilized to collect data. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics, chi-square test and logistic regression at 5% level of significance.
Results: A total of 509 artisans were interviewed comprising tailors, mechanics, hairdressers, welders and carpenters. Reported work related health problems include musculo-skeletal/joint pain (63.3%) and low back pain (54.7%). Needle pricks was the commonest accident mostly among tailors (79.9%) and hairdressers (57.8%). Cuts and lacerations were the commonest injuries mostly among carpenters (96.7%) and mechanics (90.9%). Hazards reported were physical; noise (71.0%), chemical; fumes (43.4%), mechanical; sharp metals (85.9%), biological, insect bites
(91.0%) and psychosocial; low income (68.9%). These hazards differed by occupational groups. Singles were more likely to have work place accidents. Respondents working for > 8 hours per day were more likely to experience occupational injury compared to those working for < 8 hours per day.
Conclusion: Occupational health services and health education on control of workplace hazards and accident prevention is needed for this group of workers.
Keywords: Artisans, workplace hazards, health problems, accidents
Résumé
Contexte: Les artisans constituent une proportion importante de la population active au Nigeria et sont exposés à des risques en milieu de travail qui présentent un risque pour leur santé. Peu ou pas deservicesde santés occupationnelles sont fournis pour ces travailleurs qui sont principalement dans le secteur informel.
Objectifs:Pour évaluer les problèmes de santé, les risques en milieu de travail et les besoins en soins de santé des artisans comme base pour le développement des services de santésoccupationnellespour ces travailleurs.
Méthodes:Une étude transversale à base communautaire a été réalisée. Un échantillonnage total des artisans dans le Secteur 3 de la Zone du Gouvernement Local d’Ibadan-Nord a été fait. Un questionnaire semi-structuré administré par intervieweur a été utilisé pour recueillir des données. Les données ont été analysées à l’aide de statistiques descriptives, test du chi-carré et la régression logistique au niveau de signification de 5%.
Résultats: Un total de 509 artisans ont été interviewés comprenant des tailleurs, mécaniciens, coiffeurs, des soudeurs et des charpentiers. Les problèmes de santésignalés liés au travail comprennent la douleur musculo-squelettique / articulation (63,3%) et lelumbago (54,7%). La piqûre à l’aiguille était le plus fréquent accident principalement chez les tailleurs (79,9%) et les coiffeurs (57,8%). Les coupures et les lacérations étaient les injures les plus fréquentes surtout chez les charpentiers (96,7%) et les mécaniciens (90,9%). Les risques rapportés étaient physiques; bruit (71,0%), chimique; fumées (43,4%), mécanique; métaux tranchants (85,9%), les biologiques, les piqûres d’insectes (91,0%) et psychosocial; faible revenu (68,9%). Ces risques différaient par groupes professionnels. Les célibataires étaient plus susceptibles à avoir desaccidents de lieu de travail. Les répondants qui travaillent pour> 8 heures par jour étaient plus susceptibles de subir un accident du travail par rapport à ceux qui travaillent pour d” 8 heures par jour.
Conclusion: Les services de santé occupationnelle et l’éducation de santé sur le contrôle des risques en milieu de travail et la prévention des accidents est nécessaire pour ce groupe de travailleurs.
Mots-clés: Artisans, risques en milieu occupationnel, problèmes de santé, accidents
Correspondence: Mrs Mary O. Balogun,Departmnet of Community Medicine, College of Medicine, University of Ibadan, Nigeria. E-mail: mobalogun2004@yahoo.com
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