Ocular disorders and compliance to protective eyewear among quarry workers in Akamkpa local government area of cross river state, Nigeria

Abstract

The quarry industry over time has played a pivotal role in the transformation of the physical environment but with attendant negative effects on workers. This study ascertained the pattern of work related ocular disorders and compliance to protective eye devices among quarry workers in Akamkpa LGA, Cross River State Nigeria. This descriptive cross sectional study employed the use of a structured interview followed by a comprehensive external examination of the eyes of the subjects by qualified eye care practitioners. Data generated was analysed using the Statistical Product for Service Solution (SPSS) version 25.0. Results were presented descriptively using tables and figures. The study took place in 8 quarry sites located in 4 communities randomly selected and involved 184 subjects randomly selected comprising of 140 (76.09%) males and 44 (23.91%) females. The age of the participants ranged from 18-60 years with a mean age of 32.03±2.23 (SD). The study revealed that predominant ocular symptoms experienced were blurry vision (31.5%), itchy eyes (27.94%), ocular irritation/ grittiness (15.55%), eye/ headaches (12.46%) and discharges (9.61%). The most common ocular surface anomalies observed were pterygium (41.80%), corneal scar/ ulceration (18.03%) and allergic conjunctivitis (16.39%), while the most frequent type of eye injuries reported were superficial foreign bodies, blunt trauma and superficial ocular abrasion accounting for 50.92%,30.06% and 11.04% respectively. Injuries due to quarrying activities were more common among labourers (41.10% and 29.45% among stone crushers and stone processors respectively), while workers with less than 5 years work experience reported more work related eye injury (74.85%) with broken stones (80.39%) accounting for most of the injuries. Similarly, a majority (94.7%) of the participants had knowledge of Personal Protective Eye Devices (PPEDs) only 26.44% had the appropriate PPEDs and just 30.43% of them complied regularly with their usage during work. There was a statistically significant association between work experience and the occurrence of work related ocular injuries (p>0.001) but the use of PPEDs has no statistically significant association with the occurrence of eye injuries. The study concluded that workers at the Akamkpa quarry, Nigeria suffered various types of work related ocular anomalies and while a majority of them had prior knowledge of the benefits of PPEDs, the level of availability and utilization is relatively low and recommended health education and strict enforcement of safety regulations.