ABSTRACT
Over 1.6 million people around the world are blind and 2.3 million people have bilateral visual impairment as a result of work-related ocular injuries, and more than half a million blind injuries occur each year. The job of welding is one that involves a lot of physical exertion and the ability to operate powerful machines in order to succeed. For this particular profession, safety gear is essential, and it will be required to protect the eyes, skin, and clothing against potential hazards. This study is aimed to determine the knowledge and attitude of welders towards ocular hazards associated with welding in Benin City, Edo State. Nigeria. The cross-sectional study used data from 382 participants aged 18-65 years across Benin City, Edo State. Participants were given a well-structured questionnaire where a one-on-one meeting or an interview conducted in person was used to collect the data. The procedure was carried out in either the English language or the participants' native language, whichever they preferred. Data was analysed using the IBM statistical program for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 27.0. This study was conducted with a total of 382 welders (only males) from Benin City, Edo State, Nigeria. 112 welders were aged 18-24, 103 welders were aged 25-34, 100 welders were aged 35-44, 50 welders were aged 45-54 and 17 welders were aged 55-65. 200 welders were single, 172 welders were married, 6 welders were divorced, and 4 welders were separated. All of the welders had a type of formal education, 7 welders had primary education, 358 welders had secondary education and 17 welders had tertiary education. 339 welders did apprenticeship and 43 welders went to welding school. 108 welders had 1-5 years of experience, 81 welders had 6-10 years of experience, 72 welders had 11-15 years of experience, 82 welders had 16-20 years of experience and 39 welders had above 20 years of experience. 114 welders practiced gas welding, 200 welders practiced electric welding, none of the welders practiced resistance welding and 68 welders practiced arc welding. (P < 0.05, dF= 12) xi chi-square test revealed that there is a statistically significant relationship between the knowledge of welders on occupational hazards associated with welding and attitude to the use of eye goggles. (P < 0.05, dF= 12) chi-square test revealed that there is a statistically significant relationship between the knowledge of welders on occupational hazards associated with welding and attitude to the use of helmet. (P < 0.05, dF= 12) chi-square test revealed that there is a statistically significant relationship between the knowledge of welders on occupational hazards associated with welding and attitude to the use of face-shield. This study discovered a positive correlation between the knowledge of welders on occupational hazards associated with welding and their attitude to the use of protective equipment, this inputs that the higher the knowledge, the better the attitude to the use of protective equipment while working. This study rejected the null hypothesis which states that there is no correlation between knowledge and attitude of welders towards ocular hazards associated with welding in Benin City, Edo State. Nigeria. This study, hence concluded that there is a correlation between knowledge and attitude of welders towards ocular hazards associated with welding in Benin City, Edo State. Nigeria. This study indicates the need to raise awareness of ocular dangers associated with welding activities.
