OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH HAZARDS AMONG RICE FARMERS IN ABI LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA, CROSS RIVER STATE, NIGERIA
Author(s): Uzomba, C.I.; Uzomba, A.E.; Eborty, J.E.; Obogo, P.; Akpan, M.I.
Institute(s): 1 Department of Paediatrics, Faculty of Clinical Sciences, College of Medical Sciences, University of Calabar; 2,3,4,5 Department of Public Health, Faculty of Allied Medical Sciences, College of Medical Sciences, University of Calabar, Cross-River State, Nigeria.
Volume 5 / Issue 1
Abstract
Rice farming is a critical Agricultural activity with associated numerous hazards encountered due to its nature of practice and the work environment. The aim of the study was to determine occupational health hazards among rice farmers in Abi Local Government Area, Cross-River State, Nigeria. The study adopted a descriptive cross-sectional study design and multi-stage sampling technique was used to select 291 adults in the households who are rice farmers in Abi Local Government Area, Cross River State, Nigeria. Structured questionnaire was used to collect data from the respondents and data were analysed using SPSS version 25. Most of the respondents 253(86.9%) had experienced back pain, while 273 (93.8%) had experienced general body pain, 263(90.4%) had experienced cuts/injuries from farm tools and 219(75.3%) had experienced body itching. Furthermore, 210 (72.2%) of the respondents had experienced irritation from dust, 239(82.1%) experienced malaria, 192(66%) experienced chronic cough, 150 (51.5%) experienced bronchitis and 143(47.4%) had experienced falls from trees. There was no statistically significant relationship between age of famers and knowledge level on occupational health hazards among rice famers (p=0.307). Occupational hazards found among rice farmers include back pain, generalized body pain, cuts/injuries, body itching, chronic cough, irritation from dust, falls from trees and malaria. We recommend that there should be increased health education and sensitization on occupational health hazards among rice farmers in the area.
Number of Pages: 9
Number of Words: 3211
First Page: 76
Last Page: 85