Prevalence and factors associated with skin injuries among welders in small-scale metal workshops in Nakawa division, Kampala

Abstract

Although welding is a widely used industrial process for the permanent joining of metal parts, little is known about the prevalence of skin injuries and risk factors among welders in a Ugandan setting. This industry has much been attributed by informal employments that are largely precarious with no contracts of work to employers. In this study, the prevalence of skin injuries and associated factors among welders in Nakawa, Kampala has been assessed. This study was aimed at determining the prevalence of skin injuries and the factors associated with skin injuries among welders in small-scale metal workshops in Nakawa division-Kampala. A cross-sectional study was conducted among 344 welders in small-scale welders (SSW) in Nakawa division, Kampala. Self-administered questionnaires were used to collect data on sociodemographic variables, skin injuries and several covariates. Logistic regression was used to assess the association between skin injuries and independent variables. Analysis was performed using Stata software. A total of 337 study subjects, who responded to the interviews (mean age = 30.2 years). Of these 311(92.3%) reported to have work-related skin injuries in the previous 3 months with hands being the the most affected body part 290(86.1%) and cuts 222 (41.0%) being the main injury type. Injuries were associated with shorter experience (< 5 years) (OR= 2.78, 95%CI 1.44 – 5.39), longer working hours (over 48hrs) in a week (OR= 6.48, 95%CI 2.79 – 15.0), lack of safety and health training (OR =4.28, 95%CI 1.86 – 6.88), non-use of PPE (OR = 2.98, 95%CI 1.33 – 6.67) and use of alcoholic drinks (OR 6.94, 95%CI (3.8 –12.63). The findings indicate that skin injuries were very common, especially on their hands. The main type of injuries were cuts. Increased the risk of skin injuries was associated with shorter experience, longer working hours, lack of training, non-use of PPE and alcohol consumption. These findings suggest that welders in these settings need more education and awareness on occupational safety and health, as well as better access to protective equipment and medical care. Keywords: Skin injuries, welders, small-scale metal workshops, occupational safety and health, risk factors, Uganda