Clinical Optometry (May 2021)

Prevalence of Occupational Ocular Injury and Associated Factors Among Small-Scale Industry Workers in Gondar Town, Northwest Ethiopia, 2019

  • Mengistu HG,
  • Alemu DS,
  • Alimaw YA,
  • Yibekal BT

Journal volume & issue
Vol. Volume 13
pp. 167 – 174

Abstract

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Hirut Gebremeskel Mengistu,1 Destaye Shiferaw Alemu,2 Yezinash Addis Alimaw,2 Betelhem Temesgen Yibekal2 1Tertiary Eye Care and Training Center, University of Gondar Comprehensive Specialized Hospital, Gondar Town, Ethiopia; 2Department of Optometry, School of Medicine, College of Medicine and Health Science, University of Gondar Comprehensive Specialized Hospital, Gondar Town, EthiopiaCorrespondence: Yezinash Addis Alimaw Email [email protected]: To assess the prevalence of occupational ocular injury and associated factors among small-scale industry workers in Gondar town, Northwest Ethiopia.Methods and Materials: Institution-based cross-sectional study was conducted on 542 manufacturing and construction workers in Gondar town from April 23 to May 4, 2019. A pre-tested questionnaire was used to collect data using face-to-face interview. Binary logistic regression was used to identify factors associated with occupational ocular injury.Results: A total of 542 small-scale industry workers participated with a 95.1% response rate. The prevalence of occupational ocular injury was 31.4% (95% CI, 27.2– 35.5). Employment pattern (temporary workers) (AOR: 1.84, 95% CI: 1.14– 2.95), health and safety training (AOR: 2.22, 95% CI: 1.06– 4.66), non-use of eye safety device (AOR: 7.43, 95% CI: 4.44– 12.43), and job category (woodwork (AOR: 0.56, 95% CI: 0.32– 0.97)), and brickwork (AOR: 2.19, 95% CI: 1.08– 7.21) had statistically significant with occupational ocular injury.Conclusion: This study showed the prevalence of occupational ocular injury among small-scale industry workers was 31.4%. Iron chips are the most common agent responsible for the injury. Type of employment, having health and safety training, use of eye safety devices, and job category had a significant association with occupational ocular injury.Keywords: occupational ocular injury, small scale industry workers, Gondar, Ethiopia

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