ABSTRACT

The printing industry is one of the largest industry any economy as it is a major means of passing information to the general public. The workers of the printing industry are exposed to several occupational symptoms that can affect their visual performance due to the nature of their job. This study aims to determine the different oculo-visual symptoms in printing industries. A total of 110 workers comprising of 63 males and 47 females within the age of 18 -50 were recruited from eight different small sized printing press in Benin City, Edo State. A pretested questionnaire was used to collect data regarding personal characteristics, worker's safety measures and the various symptoms that they experience was included. Each worker was asked the symptoms they experience and to what extent they experienced it, if it was mild moderate or severe. This study shows that more males (57.3%) worked in the printing industry than females (42.7%). The major symptoms generally experienced was Tired and Aching eyes (86.4%) and (83.6%), Headaches (78.2%) and Blurry vision (59%). The symptoms experienced varied in such a way that the workers of the Prepress aspect experienced Tired and Aching eyes (92.5%) more while the Press workers had Eye irritation and redness (92.9%) and (95.1%) respectively. A comparison between the aspects of the printing industry and the symptoms experienced showed a significance in association (P < 0.001). The Post press was the least affected aspect in the industry. This study concluded that Printing workers are exposed to various oculo-visual symptoms which can affect their occupational visual performance. Workers in printing presses need to be made more aware of the different symptoms experienced and how it can be alleviated because most of them think it's just part of the job.