Effect of Dust Exposure on Eye Defects of Ricemill Workers In Abakiliki Ebonyi State

Abstract

In Nigeria's rice milling sector, particularly in Ebonyi State, workers are exposed to severe occupational health hazards due to insufficient use of safety measures. This study aims to address this gap by evaluating the prevalence of eye-related disorders due to dust exposure among rice mill workers and recommending management protocols to improve occupational health practices in Ebonyi State's rice milling industry. The workers comprised of 76 females and 9 males with different age groups ranging from 20 to 60 years and above. In order to ascertain the prevalence of eye problems among rice mill workers in Ebonyi State, information on the evaluation of occupational dust exposure and the usage of safety measures was gathered using a self-structured and validated questionnaire. Complete ocular examinations including color vision and visual field testing were performed to identify any eye defect associated with occupational dust exposure. The questionnaire comprised five section on socio demographic data, Occupational Characteristics of rice mill workers ,general medical, ocular history and present history of respondents followed by Eye examination of respondents with the use of snellen’s chart and ischihara’s chart. The data was analyzed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) software, version 23.0. The tool employed was descriptive statistics and qualitative presentation of data using ANOVA at 5%, to find out significant differences between comparable categorical groups. From this present study, the distribution and correlation of conditions associated to visual acuity as against the various years (1-3 years, 4-6 years, 7-9 years and 10 years and above). In Usage Of Eye Protective Wear (UOEPW), Availability of Dust Control Measures (AODCM), How Often Do You Go For Eye Checkup (HODYGFEC), Do You Experience Any Eye Symptom (DYEAOTOS) and Colour Blind parametres respectively shows higher values in those under the work duration of 1-3 years when compared to other years. Invariably, Any Previous Eye Surgery (APES), Previous Eye Examination (APEI), Do You Have Any Known Medical History (DYHAKMH) parameters respectively revealed lower values in those under the work duration of 7-9 years compared to the other years. These defects were statistically significant (p<0.05) compared among categories (1-3 years, 4-6 years, 7-9 years, 10years and above).