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Occupational Hazards and Self-Reported Health Problems among Photocopy and Printing Workers at Assiut University, Egypt

Research Authors
Asmaa A. Ibrahim1*, Neama M. Elmaghrabi2 , Naglaa S. Abd El – aty3
Research Date
Research Department
Research Journal
International Journal of Membrane Science and Technology
Research Publisher
International Journal of Membrane Science and Technology
Research Rank
دولي
Research Vol
10
Research Website
International Journal of Membrane Science and Technology
Research Year
2023
Research_Pages
1265-1276
Research Abstract

Abstracts: Background: Photocopy and printing workers have a great chance of exposure to polluting materials and various hazardous substances that are harmful to human health. Objective: This study aims to assess occupational hazards and self-reported health problems among photocopy and printing workers. Design: Descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted among 163 workers at central printing press, including printing and photocopies offices of faculties, Assiut University. Methods: A structured questionnaire was administered through face-to-face interviews by the researcher. All respondents were interviewed during the period from first of February to the first of July 2022. It comprised four main parts Part One: Demographic and occupational data. Part Two: Self-Reported health problems of study participants. Part Three: Workplace environment at photocopy and printing offices. Part four: Studied workers' knowledge about occupational hazards and their knowledge about health risks associated with each hazard. Results: The study revealed that 89.0% of studied workers were male, 39.9% of them were aged from 40-50 years. Alongside, 89.6% of studied workers had poor knowledge about occupational hazards and health risks of each hazards. The most frequent muscle-skeletal problem among studied workers was back pain 36.2%. Approximately 9.8% complained from vomiting. Regarding respiratory problems, shortness of breathing was reported by 25.8% of the participants. About 10.4% of studied workers suffered from visual impairment. Also, 22.7% of participants complained from skin irritation. Conclusion: The study concluded that poor knowledge about occupational hazards, so they at higher risk for different work-related health problems.

Keywords: Occupational Hazards, Self-Reported, Health Problems, Photocopy, Printing, Workers.