Assessment of knowledge, attitudes and practices on the use of personal protective equipment among building construction workers in Kampala, Uganda.

Abstract

The construction industry in Uganda plays a significant role in the country's economic development, contributing 12% to the GDP and providing employment opportunities. However, safety on construction sites, particularly the use of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), remains a concern. Compliance with PPE use in Uganda, especially in Kampala, is inadequate, leading to a high number of workplace injuries and fatalities. PPE is crucial for protecting construction workers from various risks, such as falling objects, electrical hazards, and chemical exposures. The general objective is to assess the level of knowledge, attitudes, and practices related to PPE use among construction workers in Kampala, with the goal of improving safety measures in the industry. The study was conducted in Kampala, in Nakawa and Kampala Central divisions through a cross-sectional design, on a sample of 384 construction workers. Data was collected through face-to-face interviews using structured questionnaires. The questionnaire covered socio-demographic characteristics, knowledge, attitudes, and practices concerning PPE use. Data was managed electronically then stored safely using electronic storage devices. The data was analyzed using STATA 13. Results: Findings indicated a high level of knowledge in the following;- health-related issues due to inadequate PPE (95.83%), the types of PPE used in construction (96.88%), correct donning and doffing procedures (95.31%). Positive attitudes towards PPE were evidenced in the importance of wearing PPE (51.3%), PPE's effectiveness in injury prevention (56.77%) and importance of occupational safety (71.88%). While practices related to PPE were favorable, with 71.88% of workers provided with PPE by their employers, 71.35% having not faced challenges in using PPE and 66.41% using PPE for more than 6 hours daily, areas for improvement were identified, including the need for increased awareness of regulations and consistent PPE use. In conclusion, workers demonstrated a high extent of knowledge, positive attitudes towards PPE and good practices related to PPE use however; there are gaps in understanding regulations, consistent training, supervision, and addressing challenges in PPE use. Therefore, construction companies should prioritize regular training sessions and refresher courses, ensuring the consistent provision of appropriate PPE and strict enforcement of guidelines. Local authorities should strengthen regulatory awareness and invest in inspection and public awareness campaigns. Construction workers should actively engage in training programs, foster a safety-first culture, and prioritize PPE use. By addressing these recommendations, stakeholders can collectively improve PPE awareness, compliance, and safety within the construction industry.