USE OF PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT AMONG WORKERS IN SELECTED PLANK MARKETS IN IBADAN

Abstract

The WHO describes the prevalence of wok induced diseases to have been on the increase in the past few years leading to increased work related mortality and morbidity. The wood products industry is one of the most dangerous workplace settings for employees where most hazards can be prevented by the use of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) when engineering and work practice controls are not feasible. The study objective was to investigate the knowledge and utilisation of PPE amongst workers in selected plank markets in Ibadan. The study was a cross-sectional survey among two hundred and fifty workers. A multi stage sampling technique was used to select the respondents. Five (5) plank markets were randomly selected and a proportionate selection of two hundred and fifty participants from 5 study locations. Data was collected using quantitative methods only. A pre-tested structured interviewer-administered questionnaire was used to obtain information on respondents’ socio-demographic characteristics, knowledge about PPE, patterns of use and perceived importance and usefulness of PPE. Data was analysed using descriptive and inferential statistics. Most of the (94.8%) respondents were males and 44% of respondents had secondary level of education. Most (55.6%) were Stall owners and 87% spent between 9-12 hours on the job. Majority (83%) of the respondents had fair knowledge about PPE. The most commonly used PPE by respondents ever before (64%) and on the day of the interview (38.4%) was nose masks while the least used ever before (10%) and on the day of the interview (0%) was earmuffs. Only 1.6% claimed to have access to educational resources which were in form of on-the-job trainings. There was no access to policies that could support and guide them in the use of safety and health of workers. There was also unavailability of health services in the markets. More than half (54.6%) of the respondents perceived Personal Protective Equipment as slightly important and Nose masks where perceived as the PPE that was most useful. There was a significant relationship between Knowledge and PPE and highest educational level attained by respondents (Fisher’s exact= 14.973, df= 6, p-value= 0.010).

Number of years on the job did not have a significant effect on the knowledge respondents had about PPE (Fisher’s exact= 11.654, df= 8, p-value= 0.143). Workers in Plank markets had low level of utilization of Personal Protective Equipment despite the fair knowledge about their use and effectiveness thus, increasing the risk of work related injuries. Intensive health education in form health talks, training, seminars and awareness campaigns on the importance and effectiveness of PPE should be provided for workers. A standard code of practice should also be provided by the government for the workers.