Prevalence of noise induced hearing loss among employees at a mining industry in Zimbabwe

Background: Noise induced hearing loss (NIHL) is within the top five occupational illnesses in Zimbabwe. Workers at a mining company complained about loss of hearing at the mine clinic.Objective: To determine the prevalence of NIHL among employees at the Mine. Methods: We conducted a descriptive cross sectional study at the mine. Workers were proportionally selected to represent all the mine departments or working areas. We measured noise levels at various mine sites, conducted a walk-through survey to observe noise related worker practices and conducted audiometric testing.Results: Mean age for workers was 34.8±7.6 years and the mean duration of exposure to noise was 7.5±1.2 years. All workers could define noise. Ninety (53%) workers attributed NIHL to noisy work environment. Excessive noise levels were in Plant Processing (94 dBA), Underground Mining (102 dBA) and (Underground Workshop (103 dBA). Sixty two (36.7%) workers had NIHL. NIHL increased as a function of age (chi square=30.99 df=3 pConclusion: The prevalence of NIHL of 37% is high. Age and work area were associated with NIHL. Studies reported that age tends to distort the relationship between noise exposure and NIHL. Mine management should institute a hearing conservation program to protect employees against hazardous noise. Management may meanwhile use administrative controls and adhere to permissible exposure limits according to the noise regulations.African Health Sciences 2013; 13(4): 899 - 90

Track E Implementation Science, Health Systems and Economics

Peer Reviewedhttps://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/138412/1/jia218443.pd

Factors associated with contracting sexually transmitted infections among patients in Zvishavane urban, Zimbabwe; 2007

Background: Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) remain a major public health problem in Zimbabwe. In Zvishavane, STI increased from 66 per 1,000 in 2002 to 97 per 1,000 in 2005, a 31% increase in cases.Objective: To determine the factors associated with contracting sexually transmitted infections (STI) among patients in Zvishavane.Methods: A frequency matched case control study was conducted. Cases were persons above 15 years diagnosed with STI at three health facilities in Zvishavane urban. Controls were patients who visited the same facilities  for other ailments. We interviewed 77 cases and 154 controls.Results: Both cases and controls were knowledgeable about STI. Risk factors for men included sex under the influence of alcohol OR=7.11 (95% CI 2.42-20.85), relationships less than one year, OR= 9.33 (95% CI 3.53-24.70), no condom use at first intercourse OR=5.17 (95% CI 1.64-16.25) and paying for sex OR= 23.65 (95% CI 6.23-89.69). For females the risk factors were non-use of condom at first intercourse OR=2.49 (95% CI 1.02-6.04) and relationships less than one year OR=3.19 (95% CI 1.41-7.23). Significant differences in attitudes were evident among cases and controls.Conclusion: Knowledge of STI did not provide protection from STI diagnosis. Limiting the number of partners, consistent condom use, and fidelity are important for both men and women

Risk factors for contracting anthrax in Kuwirirana ward, Gokwe North, Zimbabwe

Background: A report of an anthrax outbreak was received at Gokwe district hospital from the Veterinary department on the 23 rd January 2007. This study was therefore conducted to determine risk factors for contracting anthrax amongst residents of Kuwirirana ward. Methods: We conducted a 1:1 unmatched case control study. A case was any person in Kuwirirana ward who developed a disease which manifested by itching of the affected area, followed by a painful lesion which became papular, then vesiculated and eventually developed into a depressed black eschar from 12 January to 20 February 2007. A control was a person resident of Kuwirirana ward without such diagnosis during the same period. Results: Thirty-seven cases and 37 controls were interviewed. On univariate analysis, eating contaminated meat (OR = 7.7, 95% CI 2-29.8), belonging to a household with cattle deaths (OR= 9.7, 95% CI 2.9-33), assisting with skinning anthrax infected carcasses (OR= 5.4(95% CI 1.7-17), assisting with meat preparation for drying (OR = 5(95%CI 1.9-13.9), assisting with cutting contaminated meat (OR = 4.8(95% CI 1.7-13.2), having cuts or wounds during skinning (OR = 19.5, 95% CI 2.4-159) and belonging to a village with cattle deaths (OR = 6.5(95%CI 1.3-32) were significantly associated with anthrax. Conclusion : Anthrax in Kuwirirana resulted from contact with and consumption of anthrax infected carcasses. We recommend that the district hold regular zoonotic committee meetings and conduct awareness campaign for the community and carry out annual cattle vaccinations

Factors associated with occupational injuries at a bevarage manufacturing company in Harare, Zimbabwe - 2008

No Abstract