Arbeitsmedizin und Gesundheitsangelegenheiten

Abstrakt

Occupational Injuries Among Building Construction Workers in Gondar City, Ethiopia

Mesafint Molla Adane, Kassahun Alemu Gelaye, Getahun Kebede Beyera, Hardeep Rai Sharma and Walelegn Worku Yalew

Introduction: Construction industry has been identified as one of the most hazardous industries both in industrialized and industrializing countries. Work-related injuries in construction sector present a major public health problem resulting in serious social and economic consequences that could be prevented if appropriate measures are taken. Method: Institution-based cross-sectional study was conducted from May 1 – 20, 2009 at six licensed construction sites in Gondar city. A total of 401 building construction workers were included in the study by using simple random sampling technique. Data were collected through interviews using structured and pre-tested questionnaire and the collected data were entered and analyzed using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) version 13.0. Results: The prevalence rate of work-related injuries in the preceding one year was 38.7%. Of the total injuries, more than half (68.39%) were reported by males while the rest reported by females workers. The leading causes of injuries were fall from ground level (21.3%) followed by overexertion during lifting (20.6%), and fall from elevation (16.1%). Old age, being male, job dissatisfaction, lack of vocational training and working overtime were found to elevate the odds of having occupational injuries among construction workers. Conclusion: The study revealed that occupational injuries were common among building construction workers. Therefore, counter measures such as creating awareness of risk factors, avoiding overtime work, providing training and personal protective devices could be effective to decrease prevalence of occupational injuries. Impact on industry: The research will be helpful to know the extent of problem and to suggest some interventions.