Knowledge on first aid of chemical eye injuries and associated factors among chemical industrial workers in Dar es salaam

Abstract

ABSTRACT BACKGROUND. Chemical eye injury refers to tissue damage that occurs following exposure to chemicals and it is a true ocular emergency. Globally, the incidence ranges from 7.7% to 18%, and in Africa, it is about 3.5% to 8.1%. With industrialization, the incidence among industrial workers is expected to rise. Effective first aid management by industrial workers is crucial, yet their knowledge in this area is generally inadequate, ranging from 14.4% to 69.2% worldwide. Factors affecting this knowledge include first aid training, participation in first aid provision, education level, and years of work experience. In Tanzania, chemical eye injuries are not uncommon, with many patients referred to tertiary hospitals in advanced stages, often leading to complications despite maximum hospital management. Despite this fact, knowledge on first aid and associated factors on chemical eye injury among chemical industrial workers were not well known. Establishing evidence-based strategies to enhance the knowledge on first aid for chemical eye injuries was essential for better first aid management of chemical eye injuries in industrial settings. AIM: This study assessed knowledge on first aid management of chemical eye injuries and associated factors among chemical industrial workers in Dar es Salaam. METHODOLOGY: An analytical cross-sectional study was conducted from June to December 2023 in 7 chemical industries located in Dar es Salaam. These industries were from 6 groups of chemical industries, namely, cement, soap and detergent, pesticide, paint, fertilizer, and cosmetics industries. A stratified random sampling method was used in two stages; the first stage involved random selection of industries, and the second stage was random selection of participants from each selected industry. A structured interviewer administered questionnaire was used for data collection, and data were analyzed by SPSS version 27. There were 11 questions on knowledge with scores of 1 and 0 for correct and incorrect responses, respectively. Bloom’s cut-off point was used in which those who scored 80-100% were considered to have adequate knowledge while less than that inadequate. The chi-square (χ2) test and Fisher's exact test were used to check for evidence of association, and logistic regression was used to check for the strength of association between level of knowledge and its associated factors. A P-value of <0.05 and a 95% confidence interval were considered statistically significant. RESULTS: A total of 300 participants were recruited in this study, and males were more (68.7%). Most participants had secondary education (39.7%) and were aged between 18 and 30 years (43.7%). The level of knowledge among the study participants was high (81% IQR 63). High level of education (AOR=1.73, 95%CI(1.91-2.11)), being a machine operator or chemist (AOR=1.18,95%CI (1.09-1.26)), training on first aid management (AOR=1.10,95%CI (1.04 1.16)), working in the fertilizer industry, and participation in first aid provision (AOR=1.55,95%CI(1.3-1.82)) were associated with a high level of knowledge on first aid management of chemical eye injury. CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS: The level of knowledge among workers in chemical industries was high. Factors such as receiving information from occupational safety educators, being trained on first aid, participating in first aid provision, witnessing chemical eye injury, and a high level of education were associated with a high level of knowledge on first aid for chemical eye injuries. Upholding and maintaining first aid training for industrial workers is encouraged to enhance knowledge and preparedness for emergency chemical eye injury.