Prevalence of work-related health problems among providers of car battery repair in a resource-limited setting

Abstract

With urbanization, there is increasing use of automobiles, automobile batteries and consequently, there are an increasing number of lead acid battery repairers in the major cities of developing countries. This study assessed the prevalence of work-related health problems among lead-acid battery repairers in Ilorin, Nigeria.

This cross-sectional study recruited full time Lead acid battery repairers using a multistage sampling technique. Pre-tested interviewers administered questionnaire was used to collect data. Haematocrit was done for the consenting respondents.

A total of 200 car battery repairers agreed to be interviewed while 185 of them consented to sample collection, giving 100% and 93% response rate respectively. The leading reported health related health problem reported in the past six months was cut injury (65.5%) followed by electric shock (39.0%). Only a few reported weakness of grip (14.5%) anaemia (3.5%). The respondents with long years of work experience, (17-32 years), were about 8.7 times more likely to have low PCV compared with the others 17-32 years (P-value <0.0001).

There is a high prevalence of work-related health problem among car battery repairers. There should be enlightenment of these workers on the hazards of the work. Also, used car battery collection and recycling program should be initiated and the use of personal protective devices and safety measures should be promoted.

Keywords:  Prevalence, work-related, battery chargers, occupational health, Nigeria