MORBIDITY AND MORTALITY TRENDS OF OCCUPATIONAL ACCIDENTS AMONG FACTORY WORKERS IN SELECTED INDUSTRIES IN IBADAN, OYO STATE

Abstract

The burden of occupational injuries is decreasing in industrialized countries due to a preventive health and safety culture. However, the trend in developing countries has not been easy to determine due to greater attention on infectious diseases and other health care issues. There is a dearth of data when attempting to establish trends of occupational injuries and accidents in Nigerian industries in relation to accident rates, fatality rates, causal factors and interventions. Industrial processes and sites where injuries occur most frequently should be identified. Thus, this study explores the pattern of reported accidents and injuries among factory workers as well as the occupational health and safety management systems of selected industries in Ibadan, Oyo State. A mixed methods approach using both quantitative and qualitative methods of research was employed. A review of accidents and injuries reported by industries in Oyo state to Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment over a 17-year period (2000-2016) was carried out. Records were analysed using descriptive statistics and chi-square test to estimate the association between accident characteristics and outcome of occupational injuries. Logistic regression was used to identify risk factors for injuries leading to permanent disability. Focus group discussions and indepth interviews were conducted among factory workers as well as key stakeholders involved in implementation· of occupational health and safety respectively in selected industries in Ibadan. Thematic content analysis was used to categorize responses into common domains. A total of 50 injuries were reported and documented during the 17-year period with a case fatality rate of 26 deaths per 100 workers. Young male factory workers (mean age=34.1 ±8.5), made up 98% of victims and were mostly machine operators. Most common injuries were wounds, fractures and dislocations (54%) of which the upper extremities (38%) were mostly affected and resulted from being caught between machine parts (38%). Majority of accidents took place in the morning (60.4%) and in the production hall (38%), mainly as a result of the victims' unsafe acts (50%). Age, working environment, nature of injury and affected body part were significantly associated with outcome of occupational injury (fatal versus non-fatal). Factory workers with injuries to ·the head and upper extremities were more likely to be permanently disabled. (Head injuries: AOR=11.8, 95% CI: 1.21, 114.9 p<0.05; Injuries to upper extremities: AOR=12. l, 95% CI: 1.88, 78.3 p<0.05). Qualitative data highlighted the differences in safety organisation and accident reporting among various industries. Accidents are inevitable in the industrial setting. The study demonstrated massive under-reporting of occupational accidents and injuries. The poor reporting of accidents among industries is largely due to nonchalant attitude to safety regulations and poor safety management systems. In order to develop an accurate National OHS profile, proper occupational accident statistics collection and analysis must begin at local government and state levels. Manufacturing industries must implement adequate safety management systems to establish a safety culture among its workers to minimize unsafe acts and unsafe conditions.