Abstract:
Background: The risk of occupational diseases and injuries has become by far the most
prevalent and major health problem. Particularly, steel industries continued to be dangerous
for the health of workers. This study aimed to produce relevant and up to date information on
work-related injuries that could be used in the development of preventive measures and
intervention priorities to safeguard the health and safety condition of the work force in
industries.
Objective: To assess the prevalence of work-related injuries and associated risk factors among
production workers in iron and steel industries in Bishoftu and Dukem Towns, Oromia regional
state, Central Ethiopia.
Methods: Institution based cross-sectional study was carried out in November, 2015.
Production workers in five iron and steel industries were first stratified by working sections and
a total of 359 workers were selected using simple random sampling. Data were collected using
pretested, questionnaire and observational checklist. Data were entered using Epi Data version
3.1 and analyzed using SPSS version 16.0. The magnitude and characteristics of work-related
injuries, and the socio-demographic, work environment and behavioral characteristics of the
respondents were analyzed by descriptive statistics. Bivariate and multivariate logistic
regression analyses were done to identify the associated risk factors of injuries.
Results: The injury prevalence rate was 36.5% per year and the most common causes of injury
were Hot metal contact (18.6%), fire and explosion (16%), splintering objects (15.5%),
machinery (14.4%), and hit by falling objects (12.4%). Working in maintenance section
[AOR=2.6, 95% CI: (1.4, 4.6)], lack of health and safety training [AOR=2.9, 95% CI: (1.7, 5.1)],
night shifts [AOR=3.6, 95% CI: (1.5, 8.5)], and job dissatisfaction [AOR=2.7, 95% CI: (1.6, 4.5)]
were found to increase the risk of work-related injury compared with the respective
counterparts.
Conclusion: Work-related injuries were high among iron and steel industries workers. A
significant relationship between work-related injuries and job category, health and safety
training, night shift and job satisfaction were found. Emphasis should be given to provision of
appropriate health and safety training, interventions to help workers in maintenance section
and night shift and to increase job satisfaction using different motivational factors.
