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Background: Annually, throughout the world, an estimated 271 million people suffer from
work related injuries, and 2 million die from the injury. In recent years, in developed
countries the occupational health and safety of workers has improved, but it is not true in
developing countries. Ethiopia is categorized among under developed countries and do not
have much data on health and safety.
Objective: The objective of the study was to assess the knowledge and practice of factory
workers on occupational safety information.
Methods: A descriptive cross- sectional study was conducted in Kality Metal Product and
Ethiopian Iron and Steel factories in March 2007. A total of 417 study subjects were
randomly selected from the two factories according to their worker number proportions. The
data was collected using the questionnaires, focus group discussion, and observational
checklists. The questionnaire was pre-tested for their accuracy and validation prior to the
actual study and the necessary adjustments were done accordingly. The data were entered
after being encoded and analyzed using Epi info and SPSS.
Results: The mean (standard deviation) age of the respondents was 39.56± (11.08). Sixty nine
percent of the respondents recognized at least one safety sign. Two hundred eighteen (52.3%)
respondents got training on different occupational health and safety information and 71.5% of
the respondents used glove and 48.2% used boots.
Safety recommendation, sex, and work experience were found to be the determinant factors of
respondents knowledge level [OR: 2.394(1.439, 3.984)], [OR: 2.398(1.169, 4.922)], and [OR:
1.934(1.178, 3.174)] respectively. Health and safety training was found to be a positive
determinant factor for PPD usage [OR: 1.970(1.146, 3.386)].
Conclusion and recommendation: The workers have less knowledge level compared to
other studies. Health and safety recommendations have positive effects on both knowledge
levels and safe practices. Health and safety training has positive effects on safe practice but
did not impact knowledge. Health and safety recommendation should be given to the workers.
Safety signs should posted at a reasonable work sites.
Keywords: occupational health and safety information,knowledge,practice |
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