Factors influencing metal welders’ knowledge, attitudes and practices regarding the use of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) at metal workshops in Southern division, Jinja city, Eastern Uganda

Abstract

Introduction: The welding industry entails several hazardous activities including lifting heavy machinery, cutting, polishing, and joining of metal parts. These processes expose metal welders to enormous chemical, physical and ergonomic hazards whose burden could be reduced by proper adherence to health and safety measures including PPE. However, at metal welding workshops, sets of control measures like adequate use of Personal Protective Equipment are low or not adhered to by the metal welders yet these hazards are found to be associated with both acute and chronic human health effects. In addition, there is little documentation of the factors influencing metal welders’ knowledge, attitudes and practices concerning the use of personal protective equipment at metal workshops in Southern Division, Jinja city. Study objective: To assess the factors influencing metal welders’ knowledge, attitudes and practices concerning the use of personal protective equipment at metal workshops in Southern Division, Jinja city in order to identify interventions that can be used to improve working conditions of metal welders at metal workshops and protect them from work-related hazards and injuries. Methodology: A cross-sectional study utilizing both quantitative and qualitative methods of data collection was conducted among 160 metal welders and 6 Key informants respectively. Quantitative data was collected using a semi structured questionnaire and an observational checklist embedded in Kobo Collect application software while qualitative data was collected using a key informant interview guide. Quantitative data was downloaded as an excel sheet and exported to STATA 14.0 statistical software for data cleaning and statistical analysis. A modified Poisson regression analysis was conducted to establish the association between the independent variables and metal welders’ level of knowledge, attitude and practices concerning the use of PPE. Meanwhile, qualitative data was recorded using smart phones, transcribed and analyzed manually using thematic content analysis. Results: Out of the 160 respondents in this study, almost all 99.4% (159/160) were males with the mean age of 29.8 (±8.4) years. The majority 61.9% (99/160) possessed a high level of knowledge, about two-thirds 66.9% (107/160) had a positive attitude towards PPE usage while more than half 56.9% (91/160) demonstrated poor practices in relation to PPE usage. Welders with working experience above 4 years (aPR = 1.51, C.I = 1.01-2.26), p-value = 0.043) were more likely to be knowledgeable about PPE usage. Among welders with a secondary education level (aPR = 1.81, C.I = 1.29-2.55, p-value = 0.001), working experience of 1-4 years (aPR = 1.35, C.I = 1.01-1.81, p-value = 0.044) and above 4 years (aPR = 1.50, C.I =1.06-2.13, p-value = 0.022), there was an increased likelihood of having a positive attitude towards PPE use. In addition, welders with tertiary/university education level (aPR = 1.89, C.I = 1.02-3.49, p-value = 0.044) and a positive attitude (aPR = 1.60, C.I = 1.06-2.43, p-value = 0.025) were more likely to demonstrate good practices in relation to PPE usage. Conclusion: Despite having a high level of knowledge and a positive attitude towards PPE use, the majority of welders demonstrated poor practices in line with PPE usage that exposed them to a number of occupational hazards. In order to close the knowledge-practice gap, it is necessary to provide continuous training, enforce safety regulations, raise awareness, and enhance welders’ access to the appropriate PPE. The positive attitude toward PPE use shows that efforts to foster a safety-conscious workplace may yield promising results in improving welders' practices on PPE usage.