Prevalence of Ocular Injuries among Welders in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, Nigeria

Abstract

Welding comes with its share of risks, hazards and even injuries- the eyes are especially not left out. This study was to determine the prevalence of ocular injuries among welders in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, Nigeria. Following ethical approval, this descriptive cross sectional study recruited 212 respondents via multi-stage sampling. A pre-tested structured close ended interviewer administered questionnaire probed respondents' socio-demographics, occupational history, ocular history, knowledge, attitude and practice of ocular injuries. A walk through survey was also carried out at the welding workshops just as there was examination of respondents for ocular injuries and visual acuity. A total of 212 consenting welders participated in the study with more male participants (207), than females (5). The age range for study participants was 18-60 years, with the mean age of 36 years. Respondents reporting eye injury due to work were 92 (43.4%)- the commonest ocular injury reported was burns (42%), foreign body (32%) and cuts (4%). Majority of participants had mild or no visual impairment (95.6%), while 2% had blindness of <1/60 – LP (according WHO classification). Ocular abnormalities included pingueculae 47.6%, Conjunctiva discolouration 35.4%. Pterygium 15.6% and cataract 15.6% and others. Knowledge of ocular injuries and prevention was high (96.2%) while use of protective eye wear was poor (28.4%) There were ocular injuries and indeed abnormalities among this group of workers which was associated with their poor use of personal protective equipment even when their knowledge of same was good. It is recommended that there should be increased provision and enforcement of use of PPE at all levels.

Key words: welders, injury, ocular, Yenagoa