Prevalence of sickness presenteeism and associated factors among primary school teachers in Gondar city, northwest Ethiopia.

Background: Sickness presenteeism, the phenomenon of people going to work despite being ill, is an occupational and psychosocial condition that hurts both the health of workers and organizational productivity. It negatively affects health, increases health-related costs, and the risk of contagious diseases. Primary school teachers are particularly vulnerable to this problem, although little is known about its scope and associated factors. This study aimed to determine the prevalence and factors associated with sickness presenteeism among school teachers in Northwest Ethiopia. Methods: An institution-based cross-sectional study was employed and the study period was from April 18 to May 18, 2023. A sample of 633 primary school teachers was recruited using two-stage stratified random sampling. Data were collected using structured self-administered questionnaires. Epi-data version 4.6 and STATA version 14 were used for data entry and analysis, respectively. Binary logistic regression analysis was used. A multivariable logistic regression model with an adjusted odds ratio was fitted for statistical significance. Results: A total of 603 school teachers participated in this study, with a response rate of 95.26%. The overall prevalence of sickness presenteeism in the last 12 months was 54.7% (N = 330) [95% CI (50.9, 58.7)]. Private school teachers [AOR: 2.21, 95% CI (1.14, 4.28)], low supervisor support [AOR: 1.53, 95% CI (1.06, 2.20)], lack of staff replacement availability [AOR: 2.74, 95% CI (1.85, 4.06)], low colleague support [AOR: 2.17, 95% CI (1.40, 3.37)], unsuitable household conditions [AOR: 1.49, 95% CI (1.08, 2.34)], and strict attendance control [AOR: 2.54, 95% CI (1.67, 3.85)] were factors significantly associated with sickness presenteeism. Conclusion: The prevalence of sickness presenteeism was relatively high among primary school teachers because of factors such as low support from supervisors and colleagues, strict attendance control, lack of staff replacement, unsuitable household conditions, and private school type. Strategies to promote teachers' health include fostering a culture of support and collaboration among colleagues, recruiting adequate staff, and implementing liberal attendance policies.

Work-related musculoskeletal disorders: prevalence, associated factors, and impact on quality of life among kitchen workers in hospitality industry, Bahir Dar City, Northwest Ethiopia, 2023.

Introduction: Work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSDs) are considered major public health problems globally, deteriorating the quality of life of workers in various occupations. Kitchen work is reported as among the occupations most prone to these maladies. Nevertheless, prevalence of WMSDs, contributing factors, and impacts on the quality of life of hospitality industry kitchen workers are insufficiently documented in Ethiopia. Therefore, this study aimed to assess the prevalence of WMSDs, their associated factors, and impact on the quality of life of hospitality industry kitchen workers in Bahir Dar city, Ethiopia. Methods: An institution-based, cross-sectional study was conducted from 17 April to 17 May 2023. A total of 422 participants were included using a simple random sampling technique. WMSDs were evaluated using an interviewer-administered Nordic standardized questionnaire. The short form-36 questionnaire was used to assess quality of life. The data were collected using the Kobo tool box. SPSS version 26 software was used to perform both bivariable and multivariable binary logistic regression analyses. Independent t-tests were used to show the impact of WMSDs on quality of life scales across groups with and without WMSD symptoms. Result: In this study, the response rate was 98.34% (n = 415). The 1-year prevalence of WMSDs among kitchen workers was 82.7% [95% CI: (79.1, 86.3)]. Age group between 30 and 39 years [AOR: 2.81; 95% CI: (1.46-5.41)], job dissatisfaction [AOR: 2.45; 95% CI: (1.34-4.45)], anxiety [AOR: 2.26; 95% CI: (1.12-4.52)], prolonged standing [AOR: 3.81; 95% CI: (1.58-9.17)], and arm overreaching [AOR: 2.43; 95% CI: (1.34-4.41)] were significantly associated factors with work-related musculoskeletal disorders. Work-related musculoskeletal disorders had a significant impact on all quality of life dimensions, in which the mean SF-36 scores of participants with WMSDs were lower than those of their non-WMSD counterparts. Conclusion: This study revealed that the prevalence of WMSDs was relatively high. Age between 30 and 39 years, job dissatisfaction, anxiety, prolonged standing, and arm overreaching were identified as significant determinants of WMSDs among kitchen workers in hospitality industries. The presence of one or multiple WMSDs, in turn, is associated with worse quality of life dimensions of individuals.

Fear of violence and working department influences physical aggression level among nurses in northwest Ethiopia government health facilities.

Purpose: Violence is recognized as an extreme expression of aggressive behavior and physical violence is most recognized type among victims. Patients always come to the hospitals looking for a cure, remedy, or assurance; however, incompatibility of demand and service often results in violent incidents that become statuesque in health facilities. This study aims to investigate physical violence and associated factors among nurses in health facilities in Gondar town, Ethiopia. Method: The study was an institutional-based cross-sectional study among nurses in Gondar town from April to May 2017. Data were collected using a pretested modified version of the standard [ILO/ICN/WHO/PSI] questionnaire by trained data collectors among 339 nurses across health facilities. Multivariable logistic regression analysis with 95% confidence interval (CI) was used to identify the factors significantly associated with physical violence at p-value ≤0.05. Result: Over one fourth (28.9%) [95% CI: (24.8, 33.9)] of nurses were victims of violence in the past 12 months. Level of verbal abuse (AOR = 2.35; 95%CI, 1.26-4.40), working in emergency (AOR = 4.58; 95%CI, 1.47-14.30) and inpatient (AOR = 3.33; 95%CI, 1.15-9.66)departments; having moderate (AOR = 0.41; 95%CI, 0.18-0.90),high (AOR = 0.41; 95%CI, 0.18-0.90), optimal (AOR = 0.41; 95%CI, 0.18-0.90) level of concern of violence were significantly associated with physical violence. Conclusion: This study underlines findings nurses are at high-risk of physical violence and it is ranked second highest only to psychiatric and trauma facilities in Gondar town. Exposure to verbal abuse, working in emergency and inpatient departments and perceived level of concern are the precursors of experiencing physical violence. Therefore, investing time and capital in training like restraining and de-escalation, structural measures that deter the assailants are important.

Infection Prevention and Control Practices and Associated Factors Among Healthcare Cleaners in Gondar City: An Analysis of a Cross-Sectional Survey in Ethiopia.

Background: Healthcare-associated infections are a global health problem and are more prevalent in developing countries such as Ethiopia, but there is a paucity of research on the infection prevention practices of cleaning staff. Therefore, this study aimed to assess infection prevention and control practices and associated factors among cleaners working in healthcare facilities in Gondar City, Ethiopia. Methodology: A cross-sectional survey was conducted among healthcare cleaning staff from May to June 2022. A total of 428 cleaners took part in the survey. Data were collected using a semi-structured interviewer-administered questionnaire. The data were entered into EpiData version 4.6 and analyzed using Stata version 14 software. A multivariable binary logistic regression analysis was used to ascertain the significance of associations at <0.05 p-value and the adjusted odds ratio (AOR) with a 95% confidence interval (CI). Results: Among the 390 study participants included, 294 (75.1%) were female. Of the surveyed participants, 186 (47.7%) had good knowledge of infection prevention and control practices. This study revealed that out of the 390 healthcare cleaners, 204 (52.3%) had good infection prevention and control practices with 52.3% [95% CI (47.2, 56.4)]. Good knowledge of infection prevention and control [AOR: 1.56, 95% CI (1.03, 2.37)] and the availability of infection prevention and control guidelines in the workplace [AOR: 1.54, 95% CI (1.01, 2.33)] were significant factors associated with infection prevention and control practice. Conclusion: The present study found that almost half of the healthcare cleaners had poor IPC practices. The finding underlines the importance of good IPC knowledge and the accessibility of IPC guidelines to improve IPC practices among healthcare cleaning staff. The findings of this study also highlight that behavioral change interventions and paying attention, particularly to nonclinical staff such as cleaners in health care settings, are critical to reducing infection in health care settings.

Prevalence and associated factors of low back pain among taxi drivers in Gondar City, Northwest Ethiopia: a community-based cross-sectional study.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to assess the prevalence of low back pain and associated factors among professional taxi drivers. DESIGN: Community-based cross-sectional study. SETTING AND PARTICIPANTS: A Modified Nordic Musculoskeletal Questionnaire was used to collect data. Through a simple random sampling technique, 371 taxi drivers were selected in Gondar City, Ethiopia. DATA ANALYSIS: SPSS V.22 was used for data analysis. Bivariable and multivariable logistic regression analyses were used to identify the factors associated with low back pain. A p value less than 0.05 and an adjusted odds ratio (AOR) with 95% CI were used to declare statistical significance. RESULT: A total of 371 respondents, with a response rate of 95.4%, have participated. The past 1 year and week's prevalence of low back pain among taxi drivers was 85.7% (95% CI 82.5 to 89.2) and 53.4% (95% Cl 48.0 to 58.5), respectively. Overweight/obese (AOR=0.33, 95% CI (0.14 to 0.80)), alcohol drinking (AOR=4.77, 95% CI (1.16 to 19.5)), job dissatisfaction (AOR=4.58, 95% CI (1.39 to 15.2)), prolonged working hours per day (AOR=2.64; 95% CI (1.02 to 6.08)), not using the adjustable seat with back support (AOR=6.38, 95% CI (2.39 to 17.01)) were associated with low back pain among taxi drivers. CONCLUSION: The prevalence of low back pain among taxi drivers was high. Being overweight/obese, alcohol drinking, job dissatisfaction, prolonged working hours per day, and not using adjustable seats with back support, were factors associated with low back pain among taxi drivers. Therefore, ergonomic and behavioural-related awareness training is recommended to minimise the burden of low back pain among taxi drivers.

Physical environmental and occupational factors inducing work-related neck and shoulder pains among self-employed tailors of informal sectors in Ethiopia, 2019: results from a community based cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND: Musculoskeletal disorders (MSD) caused by occupational-related factors continue to place huge burdens on global workforces. Significant numbers of workers report potential adverse health outcomes related to the condition, such as physical injury, disability, and decline in quality of life. Occupational-related MSD also poses additional burdens to healthcare services and diminishes productivity at work. The condition usually worsens in informal sectors where the work environments are often poorly designed. This paper explored occupational and physical environmental factors that induce work-related neck and/or shoulder pains among self-employed tailors in Gondar city, Northwest Ethiopia. METHODS: We conducted across-sectional survey from April to May 2019 on 422 tailors selected with systematic random sampling technique. Nordic Musculoskeletal questionnaire was used to measure pains in neck and/or shoulder, and the questionnaire was pretested and administered by interviewers. Work-related factors such as working posture, rest break, training in safety and health, and the availability of adjustable chairs at workplaces were assessed. The significance of associations was set at a < 0.05 p-value and adjusted odds ratios (AOR) with a confidence interval (CI) of 95% were used to determine strength of associations. RESULTS: A total of 419 tailors participated with a response rate of 99.3%. The mean age and mean years of experience were 29.23 (SD ± 7.03) and 1.48 (SD ± 0.50) years, respectively. The study found that the prevalence of pain in either neck or shoulder or both sites in the last 12 months was 66.6% (N = 279) [95% CI (62.1, 71.1)]. Pains in shoulder and neck were observed in 72.1% (N = 302)[95% CI (67.8, 76.4)] and 68.3% (N = 286) [95% CI (64.0, 72.6)] of the interviewees, respectively. The majority, 78.1% (n = 218) of those with pains indicated they were prevented from doing normal daily activities. Work experience (AOR = 1.81), rest break (AOR = 2.13), awkward working posture (AOR = 2.60), prolonged sitting (AOR = 2.00) and inadequate light (AOR = 5.02) were significantly associated factors of neck and/ or shoulder pains. CONCLUSION: Work-related neck and/or shoulder pain induced by physical factors of the work environment among self-employed tailors is pervasive in Ethiopia. Efforts to curb the condition, therefore, need to impalement diverse approaches addressing the physical environment and occupational factors. We also promote the integration of schemes for the effective use of rest breaks into health and safety programs in the workplace.

Occupational Exposure to Blood and Body Fluids among Health Care Workers in Gondar Town, Northwest Ethiopia: A Result from Cross-Sectional Study.

Background: Health care workers are at the greatest risk of developing blood-borne diseases through occupational exposure to blood and other contaminated body fluids. Occupational exposure to blood and body fluids (BBFs) continues to be the major public health problems and serious concern for the health care force in Ethiopia. Therefore, this study was aimed to determine the prevalence of exposure to blood and other body fluids and its associated risk factors among health care workers. Methods: The institution-based cross-sectional study design was employed from January 20 to February 30, 2018. A stratified random sampling followed by a simple random sampling technique was used to select 286 study participants. Data were collected using a pretested and structured questionnaire. Bivariate and multivariable logistic regression analyses were performed to identify factors associated with occupational exposure to BBFs. The significance level was obtained at a 95% confidence interval (CI) and p value ≤ 0.05. Results: The prevalence of occupational exposure to blood and body fluids among health care workers in the last 12 months was 65.3% (95% CI: 59.4, 70.9). Lack of readily available personal protective equipment (adjusted odds ratio (AOR)) = 3.01, 95% CI: 1.56, 5.84), lack of training (AOR = 3.36, 95% CI: 1.1, 11.2), Khat chewing (AOR = 2.74, 95% CI: 1.3, 5.8), and being a medical doctor (AOR = 5.1, 95% CI: 1.68, 15.21) were significantly associated risk factors with occupational exposure to blood and other body fluids. Conclusions: In this study, occupational exposure to blood and other body fluids among health care workers remains a major health problem. Hence, ensuring the availability of personal protective equipment, developing strategies on banning, and strict monitoring of Khat chewing and training on infection prevention should be emphasized to minimize the problem.

Factors Associated with Occupational Injury among Hydropower Dam Construction Workers, South East Ethiopia, 2018.

BACKGROUND: Occupational injuries pose a major public health and socioeconomic developmental problems. Globally, 160 million people encounter occupational injuries; the International Labour Organization estimates that the cost is 4% of the global gross domestic product (GDP) or 1.25 trillion United States Dollar (USD). The second-largest number of occupational injuries was reported from the construction industries. There are limited studies about the prevalence and factors associated with occupational injuries among dam construction workers in Ethiopia. Hence, this study was undertaken to determine the prevalence and associated factors of occupational injury among Genale Dawa hydropower dam construction workers. METHOD: Institutional-based cross-sectional study was conducted in Genale Dawa 3D hydropower dam construction project from April 1 to 22, 2018. Four hundred and five workers were included in the study. An Oromiffa version pretested, semistructured questionnaire was used to collect data. Data were entered into Epi-info version 7, and analysis was done using SPSS version 20 software. Bivariable and multivariate binary logistic regression was used to see the association between predictors and the dependent variable. The 95% CI and adjusted odds ratio with a P value of 0.05 was used to fit the final model. RESULTS: The prevalence of occupational injuries in the earlier 12 months before the study was 57.8% with (95% CI (52.8, 62.7)). Age, educational status, alcohol consumption, job stress, work shift, and working hours per week were factors significantly associated with occupational injury. Conclusion and recommendation. Occupational injuries were common among dam construction workers. Conducting regular monitoring of substance abuse, avoiding overtime work, rotation of the work shift, and considering age and the educational status during employee recruitment can be effective to decrease the prevalence of occupational injuries.

Food Safety Practice and Associated Factors among Meat Handlers in Gondar Town: A Cross-Sectional Study.

Introduction. Animal sources of foods (ASF), including meat, are a source of high-quality nutrients. However, meat composition makes it an ideal medium for the growth of a good number of microorganisms. Around 600 million foodborne illnesses and 420000 deaths occur each year due to poor food handling practice. Thus, probing into meat handling practice will be an insatiable input for the intervention. This study aims to investigate the level of meat handling practice and associated factors among meat handlers in butcheries in Gondar town, Ethiopia. Method: The study was a community-based cross-sectional study among butcher shops in Gondar town from April 20 to 30, 2019. Data were collected using a pretested structured questionnaire by trained data collectors among 214 meat handlers from butcher shops. Multivariable logistic regression analysis with a 95% confidence interval (CI) was used to identify the factors significantly associated with a good level of meat handling practice. Result: More than half of the meat handlers 66.4% (95% CI: (59.8, 72.4)) in butcher shops had a good level of meat handling practice. Level of attitude (AOR = 4.45; 95% CI, 2.09-9.43) and knowledge (AOR = 2.04; 95% CI, 1.09-3.82) were significantly associated with a good level of meat handling practice. The majority of respondents wash their hands after disposing garbage (91.6%) with less vigilance after smoking, sneezing, or coughing (64.0%). Conclusion: The study revealed that the level of food handling practice was unsatisfactory among meat handlers. This result is a testimony to the prevailing potential risk faced by consumers due to the disregarding of hygienic behaviors by food handlers. Considering attitude and knowledge are associated with the outcome variable, investing time on behavioral change activities that will contribute to the improvement of meat handler's attitude & practice, primarily focusing on reducing working while ill is essential. Therefore, much supervisory and coaching work will be expected from local health departments & regulatory bodies.

Violence at work: determinants & prevalence among health care workers, northwest Ethiopia: an institutional based cross sectional study.

BACKGROUND: Workplace violence is the intentional use of power, threatened or actual, against another person or against a group, in work-related circumstances, that either results in or has a high degree of likelihood of resulting in injury, death, psychological harm, mal development, or deprivation. The aim of this study is to assess magnitude and predictors of workplace violence among healthcare workers in health facilities of Gondar city. METHODS: Institutional based cross sectional study design was employed to conduct this study. The study conducted in Gondar town from February 21 to march 21, 2016. Five hundred fifty three health care workers selected from health facilities of Gondar City administration. A stratified sampling technique was used for selecting the study subjects through simple random sampling. Data was collected by structured self administered questionnaire which is adapted from ILO/ICN/WHO/PSI after it is pretested & prepared in Amharic. The data was coded and entered in to EPI info version 7 and exported to SPSS version 20 software for analysis. The degree of association for variables was assessed using odds ratios with 95% confidence interval and p-value ≤0.05. RESULTS: The prevalence of workplace violence was found to be 58.2% with [95% confidence interval (CI): (53.7, 62.3)] in which verbal abuse 282(53.1%) followed by physical attack 117(22.0%) and 38(7.2%) sexual harassment. Working at emergency departments [AOR = 3.99,95% CI:(1.49,10.73)], working at shifts [AOR = 1.98,95%, CI: (1.28,3.03)],short experiences [AOR = 3.09,95% CI: (1.20,7.98)], being nurse or midwife [AOR = 4.06, 95% CI: (1.20,13.74)] were positively associated with workplace violence. The main sources of violence are visitors/patient relatives followed by colleagues and patients. CONCLUSION: workplace violence is major public health problem across health facilities and the Ministry of Health should incorporate interventions in its different health sector development & management safety initiative.

Factors affecting healthcare utilization for low back pain among nurses in Gondar town, northwest Ethiopia, 2018: a cross-sectional study.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to investigate level and factors affecting healthcare utilization for low back pain (LBP) among nurses in Gondar town, Ethiopia. A healthcare-based cross-sectional study was conducted from March to April 2018. We included 422 nurses using stratified sampling technique. A binary logistic regression analysis was performed using SPSS version 20 to identify factors associated with healthcare utilization. RESULTS: A total of 422 nurses with 100% response rate participated in this study. The majority, 54.8% (N = 277) were females. Mean age was 21.54 (SD ± 4.99) years. Of the 64% (N = 270) LBP sufferers, 25.4% (N = 107) [95% CI (21.1, 29.6)] had used healthcare services at least once in the previous 12 months. Sex [AOR: 1.82; 95% CI (1.03, 3.43)], educational level [AOR: 1.13; 95% CI (1.01, 3.40], perceived disability [AOR: 2.11; 95% CI (1.66, 3.20)], and perceived severity [AOR: 2.06; 95% CI (1.27, 3.51)] were associated factors. This study reveals that healthcare service utilization for low back pain was not common practices among nurses. Strategies that focus on nurses' gender and educational level differences should be in place to promote care usage for low back pains.

Self-report occupational-related contact dermatitis: prevalence and risk factors among healthcare workers in Gondar town, Northwest Ethiopia, 2018-a cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND: Occupational skin diseases are the second most common occupational diseases and are responsible for an estimated 25% of all lost work days. Occupational contact dermatitis (OCD) comprises 70-90% of all occupational skin diseases. In Ethiopia, information about the prevalence and factors which determine developments of contact dermatitis is not recognized. The objective of this study was to investigate prevalence and factors influencing the occurrences of occupational-related contact dermatitis among healthcare workers in Gondar town, Northwest Ethiopia. METHODS: We employed a healthcare-based cross-sectional study from March to April 2018. A stratified sampling method followed by simple random sampling method was used to select 422 participants. The standardized Nordic Occupational Skin Questionnaire was pretested and interviewer-administered for data collection. We used SPSS version 20 to conduct a binary logistic regression analysis. We set ≤ 0.05 p value to ascertain significance and 95% CI with odds ratios to evaluate the strength of associations. RESULTS: Response rate was 100%. The majority, 52.4% (N = 221), were males. The mean age was 22.6 (SD ± 6.3) years. The overall prevalence of self-report occupational contact dermatitis in the previous 12 months was 31.5% (N = 133) [95% CI (27, 36.2)]. The highest symptoms indicated was redness, 28.5% (n = 38), followed by burning, 17.3% (n = 23). The hand is the most commonly affected body sites, 22% (N = 93). Hand washing frequency [AOR 1.80, 95% CI (1.10, 3.20)], pairs of hand gloves used per day [AOR 3.22, 95% CI (2.05, 5.87)], personal history of allergy [AOR 2.37, 95% CI (1.32, 4.61)], and lack of health and safety training [AOR 2.12, 95% CI (1.12, 2.25)] were factors considerably associated with contact dermatitis. CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of occupational-induced contact dermatitis is common among healthcare workers in Ethiopia. Therefore, our finding indicates that intervention aiming at workers' health and safety training demands urgent public health responses to tackle the ailment. The result also demonstrates that healthcare workers should be aware of when and how hands should be washed. The number of pairs of gloves used per day should also be taken into consideration while devising prevention strategies.