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ABSTRACT
| Prevalence of Hypertension, Clinical Profile and Occupational Injuries among Stone Quarry Workers at Gusau, Zamfara State, Northwestern Nigeria |
| Umar Abdullahi1, Abdullahi Shehu2, Ladan K. Abdullahi3, Bello N. Kaura4, Jelani Muhammad5, Angela A. Elegbua6, Tolu Adeniji7, Munir S. Shu'aibu8, Aminu B. Abubakar2, Musa Yakubu2 |
| Background: Quarry workers are at risk for occupational illnesses and injuries because of the numerous exposures they endure daily. Assessing the clinical profile, prevalence of hypertension, and occupational injuries among stone quarry workers in Gusau, Zamfara State, was the aim of this study. Methods: A cross-sectional study was carried out among three hundred and seven quarry workers in Gusau, Zamfara State, between August and October 2022. The respondents were chosen through a systematic sampling technique. Data was gathered using an Open Data Kit questionnaire administered by an interviewer. Other vital parameters, such as blood O₂ saturation, pulse rate, respiratory rate, body mass index, and body temperature, were measured using a digital sphygmomanometer (Omron), pulse oximetry, a weighing scale (Seca), stadiometer, Geratherm infrared thermometer, and stethoscope (Littmans). Data was processed using IBM SPSS version 25, and descriptive and inferential statistics were performed. Results: The overall prevalence of hypertension experienced by the respondents was 102 (33.2%). The majority of the respondents had normal clinical parameters; however, a few of them had clinical findings outside the normal healthy range. Two-fifths, 122 (39.7%) of the respondents reported at least an occupational injury/accident. Cut/laceration was the most common injury experienced by 70 (22.8%) of the respondents. The job description and duration of work were the predictors of occupational injuries. Conclusions: This study found a high prevalence of hypertension, few subnormal clinical parameters and occupational injury/accident among the respondents. Workers found with hypertension, subnormal parameters and injuries should be supported/encouraged to seek medical care in the Outpatient Department of Federal Medical Centre Gusau. Quarry employers should sustain periodic medical examinations to identify workers with subnormal parameters for prompt care. Employers should also ensure safety training of the quarry workers annually to prevent accidents/injuries among the workers. |
| 10.51658/ABMS.202561.10 |
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