Occupational safety knowledge, perceptions and practices of municipal sanitary workers under resource-constrained settings: Mbare, Harare, Zimbabwe
- Author
- Bright T Motsi
- Title
- Occupational safety knowledge, perceptions and practices of municipal sanitary workers under resource-constrained settings: Mbare, Harare, Zimbabwe
- Abstract
-
Background: Sanitary workers in resource-constrained urban settings like Mbare, Harare, Zimbabwe face significant occupational safety and health (OSH) challenges due to inadequate training, limited access to personal protective equipment (PPE), and poor infrastructure. Understanding the OSH knowledge, perceptions, and practices of this vulnerable workforce is crucial for designing appropriate interventions to improve their working conditions and well-being.
Objectives: A cross-sectional survey was conducted on the occupational safety knowledge, perceptions, and practices (KPP) of municipal sanitary workers (MSW) in Mbare, Harare, Zimbabwe. The association between participant demography and KPP were determined.
Methods and materials: A semi-structured coded questionnaire consisting of 35 items was self-administered to 100 randomly selected participants from 22 to 24 May, 2024. Participants' responses were scored, summed up and categorized into KPP levels of good, moderate and poor.
Key findings: Participants had moderate knowledge (46%), poor perceptions (6.9%) and moderate practices (68.5%) on occupational safety. Old participants above 45 years and those with high levels of education (Secondary level) were significantly associated with knowledge (p < 0.05). No significant associations were found between demographic characteristics and perceptions (p > 0.05).
Conclusion: Participants had moderate knowledge, poor perceptions and moderate practices on occupational safety. Age and educational level were associated with knowledge. The findings highlight the influence of other factors beyond demographics in shaping perceptions and practices suggesting the need for comprehensive interventions.
- Date
- May 2024
- Publisher
- BUSE
- Keywords
-
Occupational safety
Municipal sanitary workers -
Knowledge
Mbare -
Perceptions
Zimbabwe -
Resource-constrained settings
Harare - Supervisor
- Mr Kanda
- Item sets
- Department of Environmental Sciences
- Media
-
Motsi - SHEM.pdf