Abstract
Background: The prevalence of noise-induced hearing loss has been well studied in both developed and developing countries and it is understood that developing countries such as South Africa have more challenges and a higher burden of the disease than developed countries. Construction is one of the sectors in which have a high prevalence of noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL). Objective: The objective of this study was to explore the relationship between exposure to occupational noise and noise – induced hearing loss (NIHL) at the Kusile Power Station construction site in Mpumalanga, South Africa.. Methods: A cross-sectional study involving 299 randomly selected construction workers out of approximately 900 workers was conducted. Structured questionnaires which included questions on exposure to occupational noise and other selected risk factors were distributed to study participants. Audiogram records to obtain information about the outcome (NIHL) were reviewed. Data analyses were performed using SPSS Version 26 software. Logistic regression was used to examine relationships between risk factors associated with NIHL. Results: Out of a total of 299 study participants; 32.78% (n=96) of the study participants, had NIHL. Participants who worked as general labourers compared to those in engineering were less likely to develop Noise-Induced Hearing Loss (NIHL), (AOR: 0.24, 95% CI: 0.07– 0.80), and other occupations compared more likely to develop NIHL, AOR 2.92, 95% CI (1.05– 8.09). Participants exposed to medium and high noise levels were more likely to develop NIHL (AOR:7.88, 95% CI :0.91 -68.43) and AOR 12.69, 95% CI (1.39 -115.94), respectively. There was a statistically significant association between exposure to chemicals and NIHL (AOR: 0.40, 95% CI 0.16 -0.99). Conclusion: Exposure to occupational noise and occupation were associated with noise-induced hearing loss at the Kusile Power Station construction site in Mpumalanga. There was also a statistically significant association found between exposure to chemicals and NIHL. There is a need to develop hearing conservation programmes using selected NIHL risk factors to prevent noise-induced hearing loss in power plant construction sites in South Africa. Keywords: noise-induced hearing loss, occupational noise, construction, power plant, Mpumalanga, risk factors, and occupation.
M.A. (Public Health)