Occupational Health and Public Safety

Biography

Dr Uzochukwu Ofonakara ,a public health physician,holds MBBS, MPH, MSc (epid), MSc Pharmacology and is currently on his PhD at the University of Lagos. He is the Delta State Coordinator, National Primary Health Care Development Agency, an agency under Federal Ministry of Health. He has presented at international conferences

Abstract

Introduction

One of the major preventable causes of death is tobacco use and tobacco workers are exposed to a lot of hazards including physical, chemical, psychosocial and biological hazards but unfortunately many are unaware of these hazards.

The aim of this study was to determine the Socio demographic characteristics and perception of tobacco work and hazards in a rural community of Nigeria.

Methodology

A cross-sectional descriptive study was carried out among 326 tobacco workers selected using a two-stage sampling method. Data was collected using anonymous pre-tested interviewer administered questionnaires adapted from Global Adult tobacco Survey. Odd ratios and 95% confidence intervals were computed and P values of < 0.05 were considered statistically significant.

Results

Of the 326 respondents ,4(1.2%) were between 11-20 years, 52(16.0% ) between 21-30 years,70(21.5%) between 31-40 years,88(27%) between 41-50 years,61(18.7% ) between 51-60 years,28 (8.5% ) between 61-70 years ,13(4.0% )  between 71-80 while 10 (3.1% )between 81-90.The age range of respondents was 20-70 years with a mean of 42.18 ± 15.412 years. Also, 264(81.0%) were males and 62(19.0%) were females. For marital status,83(25.5% ) were single,183(56.1%1.5% ) married, 5(1.5% ) divorced, 51(15.6%) widowed while 4( 1.2%) were separated. Also,113 (34.7% ) had only primary education,135(41.4% ) had secondary education, 28 (8.5% ) had tertiary education while 50 ( 15.3%) had no formal education. Only about half, 175(49.9%) knew that tobacco is dangerous to health, 250 people (76.7 %%) were aware that tobacco is associated with tooth decay while 65(19.8 %) were aware that it is associated with oral cancer.

Age ( p<0.0001), male gender (p<0.0001), and lower educational attainment (p<0.0001) were associated with poor perception of tobacco work and environmental hazards.

Conclusion

Efforts targeted at raising tobacco workers’ awareness of the health effects of tobacco are needed in rural communities. Programs should be directed at young males with lower levels of education.