Knowledge of Workers about their Occupational Hazards at Sugarcane Factory in Luxor Governorate

Abstract

Background: Workers in sugar mills are exposed to occupational hazards as accidents, bagassosis and hearing loss in many manufacture parts of the sugar production. The aim of the study: to assess knowledge of workers regarding their occupational hazards at Sugarcane Factory Methods: Cross sectional research design was used in this study. It conducted at Sugarcane Factory. The total number of the studied sample was 541 workers; Simple random sample was used. Tools of the study: self-administrated questionnaire was used which included personal data, questions to determine their occupational hazards and knowledge of workers regarding occupational hazards Results: The mean age of workers was 45.74 ± 8.44, 62.1% of them had secondary education and 76.7% of them had >10 years of experience. According to their occupational hazard, 68.2% of workers had back pain, 63.2% complained from nervousness. According to their knowledge about occupational hazards, 71.2% of workers had poor knowledge. Also, there is statistically significant relationship between knowledge and their educational level (P value = 0.037). Conclusion: Almost of workers had poor of knowledge about occupational hazards also; the occupational hazards were prevalent among them. Recommendations: Training and health education programs should be implemented to increase workers’ knowledge about occupational health hazard in sugarcane factory.