PREVALENCE OF OCCUPATIONAL-INJURIES AND ASSOCIATED FACTORS AMONG MICRO AND SMALL-SCALE WOOD AND METALWORKING INDUSTRY WORKERS IN DEBRE BERHAN TOWN, ETHIOPIA, 2020.

Abstract

Introduction: In Ethiopia as a mechanism for alleviating unemployment and accelerating development special attention has given to the development of micro and Small-scale enterprises. But studies revealed that workers were highly exposed to occupational-injuries and little is known specifically in the wood and metalworking sectors. Therefore, the aim of this study was to assess the prevalence and associated factors of occupational-injury among micro and small-scale wood and metalworking industry workers in Debre Berhan town, North- East, Ethiopia 2020. Methods: An institutional-based cross-sectional study was conducted from February, 20 to March, 10, 2020. A cluster sampling technique was used to select 727 study participants. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire and observational checklist through face to face interviews and observation. Data were entered into Epi-Data V.3.1 and exported to SPSS-V. 21 for analysis. Descriptive statistics were computed. Binary logistic regression analysis was carried out to identify candidate variables for multivariable analysis and independent variables with p < 0.25 were entered into multivariable analysis (backward stepwise procedure) to control-confounders and P-value < 0.05 at 95% CI was used to declare significance. Result. The prevalence of occupational-injury was 39.3% (95%CI:35.7,42.7).Lack of workplacesupervision(AOR=1.696;95%CI:1.211,2.374),unguardedmachine(AOR=1.705;95%CI:1.196,2.430),cigarette smoking (AOR=2.565;95%CI:1.787,3.683),not using Personal ProtectiveEquipment(AOR=1.667;95%CI:1.078,2.557),alcoholconsumption(AOR=2.473;95%CI:1.584,3.860)andpoor safety practice(AOR=2.201;95%CI:1.316-3.680)were significantly associated with occupational-injuries. Conclusion and recommendation. The prevalence of occupational-injury in this study was relatively high. Lack of workplace supervision, alcohol consumption, smoking cigarette, not using personal protective equipment, unguarded machine, and poor safety practice increase the risk of occupational-injury. Therefore, preventive measures like Behavioral change communication of workers, workplace supervision, guarding of machines, and use of personal protective equipment can play an important role in reducing occupational-injury.