Occupation-Related Ocular Problems and Safety Practices Among Welders and Woodwork Artisans in Imo State

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@article{1707563,
      author = {Agwah Eunice Ifeyinwa, Amadi Agwu Nkwa, Okereke Chike C.A., Anyanwu E.O., Ngwu E.E.},
      title = {Occupation-Related Ocular Problems and Safety Practices Among Welders and Woodwork Artisans in Imo State},
      journal = {Iconic Research And Engineering Journals},
      year = {2025},
      volume = {8},
      number = {9},
      pages = {911-919},
      issn = {2456-8880},
      url = {https://www.irejournals.com/formatedpaper/1707563.pdf},
      abstract = {Objective:
To assess occupation-related ocular health problems and safety practices among welders and wood work artisans in Imo State, Nigeria.
Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was carried out, to sample 400 respondents comprised of welders (arc and automobile) and wood workers ( saw millers, wood carvers and carpenters). Their selection was via multistage sampling technique, from 18 wood clusters in 9 L.G.As, proportionately drawn from the 27 L.G.As that constitute the three senatorial zones of Imo State. A pre-tested semi-structured interviewer-administered questionnaire was employed to obtain data from respondents aged 20 years and above, who consented and met inclusion criteria from October 2022 to November 2023. Data obtained were captured with SPPS version 23, analyzed using descriptive statistics. Chi square test, t-test and logistic regression at 5% level of significance.
Results: Results obtained showed common reported ocular symptoms of itching (welders:6.5%; woodworkers: 29.2%), tearing (welders:19.6%; woodworkers:9.7.%), gritty sensation (welders:9.8%; woodworkers:16.7%), blurry vision (welders:12.0;  woodworkers:9.7%), pain (welders: 14.7%; woodworkers: 8.8%) and redness (welders: 11.9%; woodworkers :2.8%). More than half of the respondents (welders:54.0%; woodworkers:56.4%) experienced ocular symptoms sometimes, while 13.1% welders and 15.4% woodworkers had the symptoms every time. Occurrence of conjunctivitis was more among the woodworkers (welders:16.3 %; woodworkers: 50.4%), while arc eye was detected only among welders  (welders: 32.6%; woodworkers: 0.0%). Others ocular problems found included pinguencula (welders:2.2%; woodworkers:7.5%), pteryguim (welders: 7.5%; woodworkers: 2.8%), corneal opacity (welders: 6.5%; woodworkers:1.9%), lens opacity (welders: 10.9% ; woodworkers: 3.7%) and superficial foreign bodies (welders: 0.5% ; woodworkers: 1.4%). Safety practices among respondents showed poor results. Majority of them had no medical check-up (welders:21.2%; woodworkers:16.2%) and safety training (welders:25.6%;woodworkers:26.9%) after commencement of their jobs. Indication on usage of personal protective equipment was also low among respondents (welders: 42.4%; woodworkers: 25.0%).
Conclusion:  Welders and Wood work artisans constitute a substantial proportion of the labour force in Imo State, but they are particularly vulnerable to occupation-related ocular problems. Functional occupational safety and health services involving sensitization on safety practices are therefore needed for these workers.
},
      keywords = {Health problems, Safety Practices, Welders, Woodwork artisans},
      month = {March},
  }