Prevalence of occupational injury and associated factors among workers in large-scale metal manufacturing factories in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

Abstract

Background: Worldwide work related injuries are becoming serious public health problems. However, very limited attempts have been made to assess the prevalence and factors associated with work-related injuries in Ethiopia.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence of occupational injury and associated factors among workers in large-scale metal manufacturing factories in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

Methods: An institutional-based cross-sectional study was carried out among 588 metal workers in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Five metal factories were involved in the study. Data were collected using structured questionnaires, clinical data reviews and an observational checklist. Descriptive and multivariable analyses were done to describe the study population and identify risk factors associated with injury using an odds ratio with a 95%confidence interval (CI).

Results: The prevalence of occupational injury among workers in the metal factories was 291 (49.9%) [95%CI: 45.8-53.9] per year. Among those injured respondents, 149 (51%) were not wearing personal protective equipment (PPE) at the time of injury. The use of PPE[adjusted odds ratio (AOR)=4.84; 95%CI: 2.93-8.01], attending primary school only [AOR=5.64; 95%CI: 3.05-10.43] and having 11 to 20 years’ work experience [AOR=7.878; 95%CI: 2.60-23.90], were major predictors of work-related injury after adjusting for confounding factors. There were 18 recorded incidents resulting in major disabilities in one factory during the study period.

Conclusions: The prevalence of occupational injury among metal workers was high. The use of PPE, attending primary school and those who had 11 to 20 years work experience were major predictors of work related injury. There is a need of provide an adequate supply of PPE for all metal workers and to ensure that they use it. [Ethiop.J. Health Dev. 2019; 33(2):94-101]

Key words: Work related injury, health and safety, factory workers, occupation, personal protective equipment utilization