Abstract
Introduction
Globally, a significant number of employees are subjected to occupational hazards, which increase the risk of job-related accidents. Workplace injuries have a substantial financial impact on the organisation, as they decrease productivity and necessitate spending money on workers’ medical care. Occupational health and safety are crucial aspects that help maintain an inimitable value of workers’ mental, physical, and social well-being in any organisation. Data regarding workplace injuries and associated factors are crucial for planning and informing organizations and policymakers about workplace health and safety.
Aim & Objectives
This study aimed to estimate the prevalence and factors associated with occupational injuries among employees at a sugar mill in Xinavane. The research objective focused on determining the prevalence, types, and ascertaining social-demographic, behavioural, and work environment factors associated with injuries at the sugar mill.
Methods
A quantitative, cross-sectional study was conducted among 298 participants. Participants were selected randomly using the employee list from Human Resources. A semi-structured questionnaire was used to collect information on participants' socio-demographic, behavioural, work environment, and injury-related characteristics. A record review was also conducted to gather information on the prevalence and injury-related characteristics. The study analysis included descriptive statistics, including counts and percentages for categorical variables and means, standard deviation, medians, and ranges for continuous variables. Chi-square tests were conducted to assess for differences between those who experienced injuries and those who did not have injuries. A multivariate logistic regression was conducted with odds ratios and adjusted odds ratios to identify variables linked to workplace injuries. A p-value of less than 0.05 at a 95% CI was deemed significant.
Results
The study results indicated a prevalence of 14,8% (n=44) of work-related injuries among research subjects and a 5,0% (n=52) from occupational records from 2017– 2022. The self-reported and occupational records data revealed that the hands and
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fingers were the predominant body parts affected (n=22; 45%) and (n=20; 38,5%), respectively. Fractures (n=12; 27%) were the commonest type of injuries reported among the participants, and burns (n=15; 28%) were the most prevalent type from the medical records data. The crude regression analysis using participant questionnaire data indicated that among the social demographic factors, significant factors related to injuries were employment status, specifically permanent employment status [COR 2.585, 95% CI (1.128 –5.827)] and lower work experience [COR 0.845, 95% CI (0.514–0.966)]. Regarding the employee behavioural characteristics, alcohol consumption [COR 3.253, 95% CI (1.574–5.511)], sleep pattern disturbance [COR 1.594, 95% CI (1.251 -4.984)], and PPE use [COR 1.288, 95% CI (1.038 -3.434)] were statistically significant to occupational injuries. The analysis did not find any statistical significance of any work environmental factors such as health and safety training, supervision at work, induction, provision of PPE, and hours worked with occupational accidents. The adjusted odds analysis revealed a statistical association with demographic determinants such as employment status [AOR 1.647, 95% CI (1.386–4.886)] and work experience [AOR 0.848, 95% CI (0.242–0.978)]. The most significant behavioural factors were sleep pattern, alcohol consumption, and PPE use. Employees who consumed alcohol reported more injuries [AOR 2.433, 95% CI, (1.288–5.745)]. Employees with sleep pattern disturbance were at risk of injuries [AOR 0.882, 95% CI, (0.284–0.925)]. Employees who never, rarely, or sometimes used PPE reported more injuries [AOR 2.545, 95% CI, (1.768 – 7.872)].
Conclusion
The study highlights a lower prevalence of occupational injuries among sugar mill employees compared to studies in Ethiopia, Uganda, and Ghana. The main determinants of injuries are employment status, work experience, alcohol consumption, sleep pattern disturbances, and PPE use. There is a need for targeted interventions for these contributing factors to mitigate injuries. Enhancing a safe work environment through increased health and awareness training and reinforcing PPE among employees are crucial steps towards improving workplace well-being and reducing the prevalence of injuries in this industry. Further research is recommended to probe the determinants of occupational injuries, which will help develop strategies for injury prevention and employee well-being.