Ocular Protection Practice and Associated Factors Among Ethiopian Welders: Institution-Based Cross-Sectional Study

Abstract

Introduction

Work-related ocular injury is a global public health problem, particularly among welders and is reduced through proper ocular protection practice. No previous studies have explored ocular protection practice and associated factors among welders in Ethiopia or in the study area.

Objective

This study aimed to assess the proportion of ocular protection practice and associated factors among welders in Gondar city, Northwest Ethiopia.

Methods

An institution-based cross-sectional study was conducted among 403 welders in Gondar city, selected using systematic random sampling with an interval of 2, from July 6 to 23, 2021. Data were collected using a pre-tested structured questionnaire and an observational checklist. Binary logistic regression was used to identify factors associated with ocular protection practice and association was expressed using an adjusted odds ratio with a 95% confidence interval (CI). Variables with a P-value of less than 0.05 were considered statistically significant.

Results

Of 396 participated welders, 81.8% worked without job training, and 33.1% had faced ocular injury. Nearly 86% of welders had access to personal protective eyewear but their knowledge and attitude towards personal protective eyewear were 48.2% (95% CI: 44.8, 51.4) and 61.4% (95% CI: 57.6, 64.7), respectively. The proportion of a good-level of ocular protection practice was 56.8% (95% CI: 52.8, 61.9). Being gas welder (adjusted odds ratio [AOR]=0.26, 95% CI: 0.12, 0.53), work experience (AOR = 1.10, 95% CI: 1.01, 1.21), job training (AOR = 4.90, 95% CI: 2.32, 10.35), welders rated the cost of personal protective eyewear as fair (AOR = 2.30, 95% CI: 1.26, 4.20) and history ocular injury (AOR = 4.20, 95% CI: 2.40, 6.97) were positively associated with a good-level proportion of ocular protection practice.

Conclusion

This study found that the proportion of a good-level of ocular protection practice of welders was fair. Being gas welder, job training, work experience, history of ocular injury and welders rated the cost of personal protective eyewear as fair were significantly associated with a good-level of ocular protection practice.

Keywords:

• ocular protection practice
• personal protective eyewear
• welders
• Gondar city

Data Sharing Statement

All the necessary data are included in the manuscript, and if needed, the supporting data are available from the corresponding author.

Disclosure

The authors report no conflicts of interest in this work.

Additional information

Funding

There is no funding provided for this research.