OCULAR SURFACE DISORDERS AND ADOPTED PROTECTIVE/ TREATMENT MEASURES AMONG NON INDUSTRIAL WELDERS IN MAKURDI LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA, BENUE STATE NIGERIA
Abstract
Work related ocular disorders are one of the most common health challenges plaguing certain occupations including welding. This study ascertained the frequency and pattern of eye injuries among non-industrial welders in Makurdi LGA Rivers State. A t0tal of 104 welders comprising of 100(96.2%) males and 4 (3.8%) females with age ranges from 16 – 65 years participated in the study. A descriptive observational study design was adopted involving the use of a structured questionnaire to obtain demographic and subjective work related data followed by physical examination of the eyes and surrounding structures using simple ophthalmic equipments. The subjects were selected using a modified random sampling technique and data obtained was analyzed with descriptive and inferential tools of the SPSS (version 25). The result showed that Welders within age group 26 – 35 years which constituted 28.84% reported the highest frequency of eye injuries with 24(23.08), while the 56 - 65 years group with only 7.69% welders reported the least frequency of ocular injuries with 3(2.89%) cases. However, there was no statistically significant association between age and the occurrence of eye injuries (p>0.05). Although the males which constituted 96.15% of the Welders reported 70(67.30%) cases of eye injury, there was no statistically significant association between gender and the frequency of eye injuries (P>0.05). In respect to the pattern of eye injury, 30(42.25) welders suffered ocular flash burns (ARC eye), 14 (19.77%) welders had pterygium, 13 (18.31%) welders had ocular foreign body 9 (12.68%) had ocular trauma, 3 (4.23%) welders had chemical splash while 2 (2.8%) suffered corneal abrasion within the specified period. In respect to protective eyewear employed, 52 (50.0%) of the welders employed Sun glasses during welding, 18 (17.3%) employed welding Goggles, 13 (12.5%) employed nonprescription transparent Spectacles, 11 (10.6%) employed prescription spectacle Lenses, while only 1 (0.96%) welder used no eye protective device during welding. However, there was no statistically significant association between type of protective eye device and frequency of ocular injuries (p>0.05). Out of the 71 welders with ocular surface injuries/ disorders within the specified period, 33 (46.48%) opted for self-management, 21 (29.58%) welders opted for professional clinic/ hospital care, 7 (9.86%)) opted for local herbal therapy while 10 (14.08%) did not undergo any form of treatment. The study concluded that frequency of eye injuries among welders in Makurdi Benue state was high and recommended health and safety education for welders, provision of affordable eye PPE and enforcement of safety regulations.
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