Awareness and use of protective eye devices among auto mechanic technicians and auto spare parts traders in Uyo, Nigeria

Abstract

are not without job-related hazards. It is, thus, necessary to apply safety rules and regulations. Their training is usually apprenticed based, lasting between 1 and 3 years. Most the auto mechanic shops are owned by a single individual, and they are generally not careful about protective devices. The few owned by big companies are located in Federal Capital and other commercial cities in Nigeria. In Uyo, the state capital of Akwa-Ibom, the local authority has carved out a section of the town called "Mechanic Village," where most of the technicians come together along with the auto spare parts dealers to practice their trade. This arrangement makes it very convenient for their customers to access the services of different specialty of auto mechanic technicians and auto spare parts dealers. Adopting health promotional measures at workplace is an important step toward ensuring a healthy work environment, especially in developing countries where such measures are commonly not well considered. [1] The use of protective eye Background: Job-related injuries are common among artisans in developing countries. In Uyo, Nigeria, data on ocular injuries at workplace are not available to guide regulatory government agencies. Objective: To determine the awareness level and protective eye devices use profile among workers in the Uyo Mechanic Village. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among artisans in a state-owned mechanics' village in 2013. Result: Of the 109 subjects, 107 (98.2%) were men and two (1.8%) were women with a mean of 37.6 ± 9.2 years, and the age range was 18-62 years. Ninety-five subjects (87.2%) were not wearing any form of eye protection at work, 85 (78%) have never heard about protective eye wear at work, while 91 (83.5%) were not trained for using protective eye wear. Eleven cases (73.3%) had occupation-related ocular injury. Conclusion: Job-related eye injuries are common in our cohorts largely because of ignorance or nonuse of protective eye devices.

Estimating occupational risks associated with roadside automobile vulcanizing trade in a part of southwestern Nigeria

“…Also, the association between level of education and use of protective measure revealed that low-level education is a contributory factor to non-use of protective equipment among vulcanizers in the study area. This finding supported previous findings that finding that low education level may contribute to non-use personal protective measures among small scale business workers, as they do not know, recognize and appreciate the significance of personal protective equipment (Ahmad et al, 2017;Kumar et al, 2013;Abraham et al, 2015;Taha 2000).…”

Awareness of occupational hazards and associated factors among automobile repair artisans in Kathmandu Metropolitan City, Nepal

“…This finding is lower than the results from the study among welders in Zambia (98%), Nepal (90.7%), India (83.3%), and Northern Nigeria (77.9%). [ 5 16 18 19 ] Use of at least one PPE at work is found to be 44.3%, which is higher than the study among automobile workers from Ghana (27%) and Nigeria (12.8%) and is lower than the study among welders from India (95.7%)[ 10 19 20 ]. However, this finding is consistent with the study among welders in eastern Nepal.…”

“…This finding is supported by the study from Zambia. [ 18 ] In contrast to this, findings from different setting[ 5 6 20 ] have showed education is not significant with PPE use. Workers who had prior training to work were twice more likely to use PPE compared to those who did not receive any training prior to work in automobiles.…”

Systematic review and meta-analysis on prevalence, pattern, and factors associated with ocular protection practices among welders in sub-Saharan Africa

“…Welding protection practices refer to the measures taken to safeguard the eye against potential health hazards that may arise from exposure to welding. This objective is accomplished through the utilization of personal safety glasses, which serve as a protective barrier for the eye ( 19 ).…”