Factors associated with use of Personal Protective Equipment among temporary construction workers in Makindye division, Kampala

Abstract

Background: In Low and Middle-Income Countries, temporary construction workers suffer majority of the construction-related injuries due to lack of or improper use of personal protective equipment. In Uganda, there is limited enforcement towards use of PPE on construction sites for the temporary workers. This study aimed at assessing the use of PPE and associated factors among temporary construction workers in Makindye division, Kampala. Methodology: This was a cross-sectional study carried out among 248 temporary construction workers aged 18 years and above. Data was collected using a semi-structured questionnaire. Quantitative data was analyzed using the Modified Poisson regression model to generate Prevalence Ratios (PRs) and their 95% confidence intervals as measures of association. Qualitative data was analysed using conventional content analysis. Results: The mean age of the temporary construction workers was 22.9 years with a standard deviation of ±2.8 years. Out of the 248 respondents, 50.4% (125/248) used PPE with majority 76.8% (96/125) wearing boots. Temporary workers aged 24-26 years (APR=2.0; 95% CI=1.3-3.2) and 27-30 years (APR=2.4; 95% CI=1.4-4.1); those that had worked on sites for 29-56 days (APR=1.5; 95% CI=1.0-2.1); those with experience of 1-5 years in building construction work (APR=0.7; 95% CI=0.6-0.9), and those that were engaged in masonry (APR=1.3; 95% CI=1.2-1.7) were more likely to use PPE. However, temporary construction workers who had never received training in construction (APR=0.8; 95% CI=0.6-0.9), as well as those who worked at sites where safety protocols were not enforced (APR=0.6; 95% CI=0.5-0.8) were less likely to use PPE. Conclusion: The prevalence of PPE use among temporary construction workers was low. Age, duration spent at site, training in PPE use and enforcement of safety protocols at work were responsible for the low PPE use. There is need for training of the temporary construction workers on PPE use and enforcement of safety protocols at construction sites.