WORK RELATED INJURIES AND ASSOCIATED FACTORS AMONG TENDAHO SUGARCANE PLANTATION WORKERS IN AFAR REGION, ETHIOPIA

Abstract

Background: According to International Labour Organization 2012 estimation, globally about 2.34 million workers died from work related injuries. Based on the same statistics, around 6300 work force were died and 850,000 workers were injured daily. Therefore the result of this study - may helps to contribute in filling information gaps on the existing occupational health and safety service practices in the work environments. Objective: To assess work related injuries and associated factors among Tendaho Sugarcane plantation workers, in Afar region, Ethiopia. Methods: Institution based cross sectional study was conducted from March/2014 to April/2014, in Afar region, Ethiopia. A total of 654 workers were involved in the study. Stratified sampling technique was used , and the data were collected by using pretested questionnaire and walk through survey using work environment observation checklist. The data were coded and entered in to SPSS version 16 for analysis. Descriptive, Bivariate and Multivariate analysis was done and displayed using tables, charts, graphs and text. Results: The overall one year work related injury prevalence was 77.5%. Age between 18 - 29 years [AOR:2.603,95%Cl;(1.432-4.731], being never married [AOR:3.314 ,95%Cl; (1.700-6.464)], educational status of elementary school and below [AOR:3.948, 95%Cl;(1.814 - 8.593 ) ], alcohol drinking [AOR:2.610, 95%Cl;(1.574-4.327], chewing khat [AOR: 8.467 , 95%Cl;(4.696 -15.267)] and sleeping disorders [AOR:8.675, 95%Cl; (3.776 - 19.932)] were significantly associated factors for the occurrence of work related injuries. Conclusion and recommendations: The prevalence of work related injuries were high. Age, educational status, marital status, drinking of alcohol, khat chewing and sleeping disorders were significant factors for the occurrence of work related injuries. Therefore, establishing and implementing occupational health and safety management system, controlling workplace hazards, provision of personal protective equipment and providing training about significant factors can prevent workers from injury.