Occupational and Environmental Health Situation Among Ceramic Workers: Analysis in Community and Small Enterprises
Keywords:
: Nurses’ Roles, Implementing Occupational, Environmental HealthAbstract
An informal ceramic workforce is an at risk group resulting from an unsafe working environment. This descriptive study aimed to explore the situation of occupational and environmental health among ceramics workers in community and small enterprises. The samples included 341 ceramic workers in Ko Kha district, Lampang province. Data were collected from March to May 2019, through questionnaires which asked about occupational hazards, the health status of workers, health related risks at work, work behaviors, and health behaviors. The questionnaire was approved by experts. The content validity index was 0.99 and a reliability value was at an acceptable level, 0.84. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics.
The study indicated that the occupational hazards identified by the study samples included exposure to soil dust (95%), awkward postures in order to work (85.9-91.5%), and hot working condition (65.4%). The samples had a moderate level of physical and mental health (74.2%). Their perceived illness or injury related work during the previous month included musculoskeletal problem (84.8%) tiredness and thirstiness (40.5%) and irritated eyes (33.4%). More than half of the samples used personal protective equipment and complied with safe work practices. Regarding health behavior, the sample did regular exercise (37%), smoked and drink alcohol (10.3% and 4.7% respectively).
The findings suggest that health workers and related professionals should pay more attention to taking care of ceramic workers in micro and small community enterprises because. this group is at risk for exposure to many health hazards from work. The measures to reduce risk factors and promote good health for workers should be implemented.
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