Awareness of Occupational Hazards and Utilization of Safety Measures Among Welders in Kaduna Metropolis, Northern Nigeria

Background: Welders are exposed to a variety of occupational hazards with untoward health effects. However, little is known of welders\u2019 awareness of health hazards and their adherence to safety precautions in developing countries. This study assessed the awareness of occupational hazards and adherence to safety measures among welders in Kaduna metropolis in northern Nigeria. Methods: A structured questionnaire was administered on a cross-section of 330 welders in Kaduna metropolis in northern Nigeria. Information was sought on their socio-demographic characteristics, their awareness of occupational hazards and adherence to safety measures. Results: All welders were males with a mean age of 35.7 \ub1 8.4 years. The illiteracy rate was 7.6%. Overall, 257 (77.9%) of the welders were aware of one or more workplace hazards. This was positively influenced by educational attainment, age, nature of training and work experience. Of the 330 respondents, 282 (85.3%) had experienced one or more work-related accidents in the preceding year. The most common injuries sustained were cut/injuries to the hands and fingers (38.0%), back/waist pain (19%), arc eye injuries/foreign bodies (17.0%), burns (14.0%), hearing impairment (7.0%), fractures (4.0%) and amputation (1.0%). Only 113 (34.2%) welders used one or more types of protective device with eye goggles (60.9%), hand gloves (50.3%) and boots (34.5%) being more frequently used. Regular use of safety device, shorter working hours and increasing experience were protective of occupational accidents. Conclusions: The level of awareness of occupational hazards was high with sub optimal utilization of protective measures against the hazards. There is therefore need for health and safety education of these workers for health and increased productivity.Fond: Des soudeuses sont expos\ue9es \ue0 une vari\ue9t\ue9 de risques professionnels avec des effets de sant\ue9 impropices. Cependant, peu est connu conscience de soudeuses' des risques sanitaires et de leur adh\ue9rence aux mesures de s\ue9curit\ue9 dans les pays en voie de d\ue9veloppement. Cette \ue9tude a \ue9valu\ue9 la conscience des risques professionnels et de l'adh\ue9rence aux mesures de s\ue9curit\ue9 parmi des soudeuses dans la m\ue9tropole de Kaduna au Nig\ue9ria nordique. M\ue9thodes: Un questionnaire structur\ue9 a \ue9t\ue9 administr\ue9 sur une section transversale de 330 soudeuses dans la m\ue9tropole de Kaduna au Nig\ue9ria nordique. L'information a \ue9t\ue9 cherch\ue9e sur leurs caract\ue9ristiques socio-d\ue9mographiques, leur conscience des risques professionnels et adh\ue9rence aux mesures de s\ue9curit\ue9. R\ue9sultats: Tous les soudeurs \ue9taient des m\ue2les avec un \ue2ge moyen de 35.7 \ub1 8.4 ann\ue9es. Le taux d'analphab\ue9tisme \ue9tait 7.6%. De fa\ue7on g\ue9n\ue9rale, 257 (77.9%) des soudeuses se rendaient compte d'un ou plusieurs risques de lieu de travail. Ceci a \ue9t\ue9 franchement influenc\ue9 par accomplissement \ue9ducatif, \ue2ge, nature de la formation et exp\ue9rience professionnelle. Des 330 r\ue9pondants, 282 (85.3%) avaient \ue9prouv\ue9 un ou plusieurs accidents travailler-connexes par ann\ue9e pr\ue9c\ue9dente. Les dommages les plus communs soutenus ont \ue9t\ue9 coup\ue9s/dommages aux mains et aux doigts (38.0%), douleur arri\ue8re/taille (19%), dommages d'oeil d'arc/corps \ue9trangers (17.0%), br\ufblures (14.0%), affaiblissement d'audition (7.0%), ruptures (4.0%) et amputation (1.0%). Seulement 113 (34.2%) soudeuses ont employ\ue9 un ou plusieurs types de dispositif protecteur avec des lunettes d'oeil (60.9%), des gants de main (50.3%) et des initialisations (34.5%) plus fr\ue9quemment \ue9tant employ\ue9es. L'utilisation r\ue9guli\ue8re du dispositif de s\ue9curit\ue9, les heures de travail plus courtes et l'exp\ue9rience croissante \ue9taient protectrices des accidents professionnels. Conclusions: Le niveau de la conscience des risques professionnels \ue9tait \ue9lev\ue9 avec l'utilisation optimale secondaire des mesures de sauvegarde contre les risques. Il y a donc besoin d'\ue9ducation de salubrit\ue9 et de s\ufbret\ue9 de ces ouvriers pour la sant\ue9 et la productivit\ue9 accrue

Abdominal Tuberculosis in Surgical Practice in Northern Nigeria

Background: Abdominal tuberculosis is a common complication of pulmonary tuberculosis. With the rising incidence of HIV, tuberculosis has become a major public health problem particularly in developing countries. Methods: This is a retrospective study involving patients whose surgical specimens were processed at the central histopathology laboratory of the Ahmadu Bello University Teaching Hospital (ABUTH) Zaria - Nigeria, between January1975 to December 2006.Results: There were 68 males and 49 females, aged 12-70 years (mean 28.6yrs 11yrs). While paroxysmal dry cough was present in about 20 patients, abdominal pain and distension were very common. Concomitant pulmonary tuberculosis was confirmed in 15 patients (14%). The findings at Surgery in 66 patients are presented in fig.2. Multiple deposits on the peritoneum and omentum were the commonest findings (48.7% and 26.2%) respectively. Conclusion: Abdominal tuberculosis is not uncommon and there is need to establish an early less invasive diagnostic protocol.Keywords: Abdominal Tuberculosis, Nigeria

Awareness of Occupational Hazards and Utilization of Safety Measures Among Welders in Kaduna Metropolis, Northern Nigeria

Background: Welders are exposed to a variety of occupational hazards with untoward health effects. However, little is known of welders’ awareness of health hazards and their adherence to safety precautions in developing countries. This study assessed the awareness of occupational hazards and adherence to safety measures among welders in Kaduna metropolis in northern Nigeria. Methods: A structured questionnaire was administered on a cross-section of 330 welders in Kaduna metropolis in northern Nigeria. Information was sought on their socio-demographic characteristics, their awareness of occupational hazards and adherence to safety measures. Results: All welders were males with a mean age of 35.7 ± 8.4 years. The illiteracy rate was 7.6%. Overall, 257 (77.9%) of the welders were aware of one or more workplace hazards. This was positively influenced by educational attainment, age, nature of training and work experience. Of the 330 respondents, 282 (85.3%) had experienced one or more work-related accidents in the preceding year. The most common injuries sustained were cut/injuries to the hands and fingers (38.0%), back/waist pain (19%), arc eye injuries/foreign bodies (17.0%), burns (14.0%), hearing impairment (7.0%), fractures (4.0%) and amputation (1.0%). Only 113 (34.2%) welders used one or more types of protective device with eye goggles (60.9%), hand gloves (50.3%) and boots (34.5%) being more frequently used. Regular use of safety device, shorter working hours and increasing experience were protective of occupational accidents. Conclusions: The level of awareness of occupational hazards was high with sub optimal utilization of protective measures against the hazards. There is therefore need for health and safety education of these workers for health and increased productivity.Fond: Des soudeuses sont exposées à une variété de risques professionnels avec des effets de santé impropices. Cependant, peu est connu conscience de soudeuses' des risques sanitaires et de leur adhérence aux mesures de sécurité dans les pays en voie de développement. Cette étude a évalué la conscience des risques professionnels et de l'adhérence aux mesures de sécurité parmi des soudeuses dans la métropole de Kaduna au Nigéria nordique. Méthodes: Un questionnaire structuré a été administré sur une section transversale de 330 soudeuses dans la métropole de Kaduna au Nigéria nordique. L'information a été cherchée sur leurs caractéristiques socio-démographiques, leur conscience des risques professionnels et adhérence aux mesures de sécurité. Résultats: Tous les soudeurs étaient des mâles avec un âge moyen de 35.7 ± 8.4 années. Le taux d'analphabétisme était 7.6%. De façon générale, 257 (77.9%) des soudeuses se rendaient compte d'un ou plusieurs risques de lieu de travail. Ceci a été franchement influencé par accomplissement éducatif, âge, nature de la formation et expérience professionnelle. Des 330 répondants, 282 (85.3%) avaient éprouvé un ou plusieurs accidents travailler-connexes par année précédente. Les dommages les plus communs soutenus ont été coupés/dommages aux mains et aux doigts (38.0%), douleur arrière/taille (19%), dommages d'oeil d'arc/corps étrangers (17.0%), brûlures (14.0%), affaiblissement d'audition (7.0%), ruptures (4.0%) et amputation (1.0%). Seulement 113 (34.2%) soudeuses ont employé un ou plusieurs types de dispositif protecteur avec des lunettes d'oeil (60.9%), des gants de main (50.3%) et des initialisations (34.5%) plus fréquemment étant employées. L'utilisation régulière du dispositif de sécurité, les heures de travail plus courtes et l'expérience croissante étaient protectrices des accidents professionnels. Conclusions: Le niveau de la conscience des risques professionnels était élevé avec l'utilisation optimale secondaire des mesures de sauvegarde contre les risques. Il y a donc besoin d'éducation de salubrité et de sûreté de ces ouvriers pour la santé et la productivité accrue

Demographic Profile and Endoscopic Findings among Patients with Upper Gastrointestinal Bleeding in Ahmadu Bello University Teaching Hospital, Zaria, North‑Western Nigeria

Background: Upper gastrointestinal bleeding (UGIB) is a common medical emergency that can result in significant morbidity and mortality. Aim: The aim of this study was to determine the demographic profile and etiology of UGIB in patients seen at Ahmadu Bello University Teaching Hospital (ABUTH), Zaria, North-Western Nigeria. Subjects and Methods: This descriptive retrospective study was carried out at the Gastroenterology Unit of ABUTH Zaria. Data of patients referred for upper gastrointestinal endoscopy with UGIB from June 2017 to December 2019 were extracted from the endoscopy register and analyzed. Results: One hundred and forty-four patients had upper gastrointestinal (UGI) endoscopy done for UGIB during the period under review. Of these, 105 (72.9%) were males while 39 (27.1%) were females with male-to-female ratio of 2.7:1. The mean age of the patients was 43.5 ± 17.3 and their age ranges from 11 to 89 years. The modal age group was 40–49 years. The most common cause of UGIB was esophageal varices (67 [46.5%]) followed by erosive mucosal diseases: gastritis/duodenitis 43 (29.9%), esophagitis 12 (8.3%). Less common causes were peptic ulcer disease (PUD) in five (3.5%) patients, gastric tumor in two (1.4%), hiatus hernia in one (0.7%), and portal hypertensive gastropathy in one (0.7%). Thirteen patients (9.0%) had normal findings. Conclusion: Esophageal varices are the most common cause of UGIB among our patients and middle-aged male patients were the most commonly affected group

Comparison of estimation methods of soil strength in five soils Aplicação de diferentes métodos para estimar a resistência de cinco solos

In agriculture, the soil strength is used to describe the susceptibility to deformation by pressure caused by agricultural machine. The purpose of this study was to compare different methods for estimating the inherent soil strength and to identify their suitability for the evaluation of load support capacity, compaction susceptibility and root growth. The physical, chemical, mineralogical and intrinsic strength properties of seven soil samples, collected from five sampling pits at different locations in Brazil, were measured. Four clay (CS) and three sandy clay loam (SCL) soils were used. The clay soils were collected on a farm in Santo Ângelo, RS (28 º 16 ' 16 '' S; 54 º 13 ' 11 '' W 290 m); A and B horizons at the Universidade Federal de Lavras, Lavras, MG (21 º 13 ' 47 '' S; 44 º 58 ' 6'' W; 918 m) and on the farm Sygenta, in Uberlandia, MG (18 º 58 ' 37 '' S; 48 º 12 ' 05 '' W 866 m). The sandy clay loam soils were collected in Aracruz, ES (19 º 47 ' 10 '' S; 40 º 16 ' 29 '' W 81 m), and on the farm Xavier, Lavras, MG (21 º 13 ' 24 '' S; 45 º 05 ' 00 '' W; 844 m). Soil strength was estimated based on measurements of: (a) a pneumatic consolidometer, (b) manual pocket (non-rotating) penetrometer; and (c) automatic (rotating) penetrometer. The results of soil strength properties were similar by the three methods. The soil structure had a significant influence on soil strength. Results of measurements with both the manual pocket and the electric penetrometer were similar, emphasizing the influence of soil texture. The data showed that, to enhance the reliability of predictions of preconsolidation pressure by penetrometers, it is better to separate the soils into the different classes, rather than analyze them jointly. It can be concluded that the consolidometer method, although expensive, is the best when evaluations of load support capacity and compaction susceptibility of soil samples are desired.<br>Na agricultura, a resistência do solo é usada para descrever a suscetibilidade a deformação através da pressão causada pelas máquinas agrícolas. Os objetivos deste estudo foram comparar diferentes métodos para estimar a resistência do solo e identificar suas potencialidades para avaliar a capacidade de suporte de carga, a suscetibilidade à compactação e o crescimento de raiz. Os atributos físicos, químicos, mineralógicos e de resistência de amostras de solo, coletadas em cinco trincheiras situadas em várias localidades no Brasil, foram medidos neste estudo. Quatro solos muito argilosos (CS) e três franco-argiloarenosos (SCL) foram usados. Os solos argilosos foram coletados em um Fazenda em Santo Ângelo, RS (28 º 16 ' 16 '' S; 54 º 13 ' 11 '' W; 290 m); e os horizontes A e B, na Universidade Federal de Lavras, Lavras, MG (21 º 13 ' 47 '' S; 44 º 58 ' 6 '' W; 918 m), e na Fazenda da Syngenta, Uberlândia, MG (18 º 58 ' 37 '' S; 48 º 12 ' 05 '' W; 866 m). Os solos franco-argiloarenosos foram coletados em Aracruz, ES (19 º 47 ' 10 '' S; 40 º 16 ' 29 '' W; 81 m), e na Fazenda Xavier, Lavras, MG (21 º 13 ' 24 '' S; 45 º 05 ' 00 '' W; 844 m). A resistência dos solos foi obtida com um consolidômetro pneumático, penetrômetro de bolso manual (não giratório) e um penetrômetro automatizado (giratório). Os resultados da resistência do solo foram similares nos três métodos. A estrutura do solo influenciou significativamente sua resistência. Medições com o penetrômetro de bolso manual e o automatizado produziram resultados semelhantes, indicando influência da textura do solo. Os resultados mostraram que, para aumentar a confiabilidade na predição da pressão de preconsolidação usando penetrômetros, é melhor separar os solos em diferentes classes texturais do que analisá-las juntas. Apesar de o método do consolidômetro ser caro, conclui-se que este é o melhor método quando são desejadas avaliações da capacidade de suporte de carga e da suscetibilidade à compactação do solo