Assessment of Occupational Noise Exposure,Temporary Hearing Loss,and Associated Factors Among Secondary Aliminum Production Factory Workers in Debre Berhan Town,Ethiopia.
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Date
2023-12
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Addis Ababa University
Abstract
Introduction: Occupational noise is a widespread risk factor with a strong evidence base linking
it to an important health outcome (hearing loss).Beside the fact that hearing loss brought on by
industrialization is currently a significant public health issue in sub-Saharan Africa, including
Ethiopia,
Objective: To assess occupational noise exposure, temporary hearing loss, and associated factors among
secondary aluminum production factory workers in DebreBerhan Town. Ethiopia
Methods: An institutional-based cross-sectional study design was employed from April 1, 2023,
to June 30, 2023. The data collection methods were observational checklists, face-to-face
interviews, aerial and personal noise level measurements. Trained data collectors participated in
the data collection. A total of 458 production workers from the six departments were directly
interviewed for the questionnaires, and again, 30 individuals from those production workers, five
from each six departments, were selected randomly based on the similar exposure group (SEG)
technique for personal noise dosimeter measurements. The data were entered into Epi info
version 7 and exported to SPSS version 21 for analysis. Bivariate and multivariable logistic
analyses were used to identify the associated factors. Statistical significance was declared using a
95% confidence interval and a p-value of < 0.05.
Results: A total of 458 workers participated in this study, making the response rate 100%.
Among the participants, 276 (60.1%) were males, with a mean age of 25.3 (+3.64) years. The
prevalence of temporary hearing loss among workers was 69%, 95% (CI, 64.5-73.2%).Working
departments and working hours were significantly associated with temporary hearing loss.
The maximum average noise exposure levels for an 8 hours working day were recorded in the
cold rolling mill (96.2 ± 0.82 dB (A)) and sizing (94.6+ 2.88 dB (A)) work sections.
Conclusion: - This study indicated that workers in a secondary aluminum production factory are
exposed to a very high noise level with a high prevalence of hearing loss. Working departments
and duration of exposure (length of working hours) were the determinant factors to hearing loss.
Recommendation: - The factory should implement noise control methods, such as engineering
or administration with providing hearing protective devices to reduce the noise exposure of
workers.
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Keywords
Occupational noise, Hearing loss