Occupational Hearing Hazards among Informal Sector Welders in Lubumbashi, Democratic Republic of Congo  

作　　者：Nowa Mutangala Mor Ndiaye André Ngombe Kaseba Clarence Mukeng Philippe Mulenga Cilundika Eric Sompwe Mukomena Nowa Mutangala;Mor Ndiaye;André Ngombe Kaseba;Clarence Mukeng;Philippe Mulenga Cilundika;Eric Sompwe Mukomena(Ruashi Mining, Lubumbashi, Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC);Occupational Medicine Service, Faculty of Medicine, University Cheikh Anta Diop (UCAD), Dakar, Senegal;School of Public Health, University of Lubumbashi, Lubumbashi, Democratic Republic of Congo;Department of Public Health, School of Medicine, University of Lubumbashi, Lubumbashi, Democratic Republic of Congo)

机构地区：[1]Ruashi Mining, Lubumbashi, Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) [2]Occupational Medicine Service, Faculty of Medicine, University Cheikh Anta Diop (UCAD), Dakar, Senegal [3]School of Public Health, University of Lubumbashi, Lubumbashi, Democratic Republic of Congo [4]Department of Public Health, School of Medicine, University of Lubumbashi, Lubumbashi, Democratic Republic of Congo

出　　处：《Health》2021年第9期995-1009,共15页健康（英文）

摘　　要：<strong>Introduction:</strong> Noise, an undesirable sound which is found in all areas of occupational activity, is still a matter of concern given the damage it causes. Various machines and tools, from simple to sophisticated ones, produce several types of noise in the workplace. The purpose of this study was to assess the current status of occupational hearing loss among informal sector welders in the city of Lubumbashi, in the Democratic Republic of Congo. <strong>Methods: </strong>This was a descriptive cross-sectional study which was conducted among 122 informal sector welders over a period of five months. The study used an anonymous questionnaire on noise exposure in the workplace and collected audio-metric data of welders. The survey collected data on welders who had a minimal three-year duration of employment without the morbidity associated with the Ear Nose Throat (ENT) region. Socio-professional data (age, duration of employment, sex, education), noise exposure, awareness of hazards and audiometric data were taken into account. <strong>Results:</strong> 122 questionnaires were completed by male subjects, or 100% (n = 122). The mean age of welders was 36.37 ± 11.91 years with extremes being 20 and 63 years. The mean duration of employment was 11.51 ± 9.6 years with extremes being 3 and 44 years. Audiometric data have shown 37.96% (n = 41) of occupational hearing loss. Three degrees of hearing loss were recorded, notably mild hearing loss standing at 80.49% (n = 33);moderate and severe hearing loss standing at 2.44% (n = 1). Ninety-six percent (n = 117) of welders reported not using personal protective equipment (PPE) and 1% (n = 111) were aware of the hazard associated with noise exposure in the workplace. A correlation was found between welders with an advanced age (p < 0.001;RP = 3.66 (2.16 - 6.22)) and hearing loss, and between the duration of employment and hearing loss (p < 0.001;RP = 6.48 (3.32 - 12.65)). <strong>Conclusion: </strong>In the study area, occupational hearing loss among welders is <strong>Introduction:</strong> Noise, an undesirable sound which is found in all areas of occupational activity, is still a matter of concern given the damage it causes. Various machines and tools, from simple to sophisticated ones, produce several types of noise in the workplace. The purpose of this study was to assess the current status of occupational hearing loss among informal sector welders in the city of Lubumbashi, in the Democratic Republic of Congo. <strong>Methods: </strong>This was a descriptive cross-sectional study which was conducted among 122 informal sector welders over a period of five months. The study used an anonymous questionnaire on noise exposure in the workplace and collected audio-metric data of welders. The survey collected data on welders who had a minimal three-year duration of employment without the morbidity associated with the Ear Nose Throat (ENT) region. Socio-professional data (age, duration of employment, sex, education), noise exposure, awareness of hazards and audiometric data were taken into account. <strong>Results:</strong> 122 questionnaires were completed by male subjects, or 100% (n = 122). The mean age of welders was 36.37 ± 11.91 years with extremes being 20 and 63 years. The mean duration of employment was 11.51 ± 9.6 years with extremes being 3 and 44 years. Audiometric data have shown 37.96% (n = 41) of occupational hearing loss. Three degrees of hearing loss were recorded, notably mild hearing loss standing at 80.49% (n = 33);moderate and severe hearing loss standing at 2.44% (n = 1). Ninety-six percent (n = 117) of welders reported not using personal protective equipment (PPE) and 1% (n = 111) were aware of the hazard associated with noise exposure in the workplace. A correlation was found between welders with an advanced age (p < 0.001;RP = 3.66 (2.16 - 6.22)) and hearing loss, and between the duration of employment and hearing loss (p < 0.001;RP = 6.48 (3.32 - 12.65)). <strong>Conclusion: </strong>In the study area, occupational hearing loss among welders is

关 键 词：AUDIOMETRY Informal Sector Welders Lubumbashi DRC 

分 类 号：R76[医药卫生—耳鼻咽喉科]