Assessment of occupational injuries in Tendaho Agricultural Development S.C, Afar Regional State.

Background : The status of occupational injuries in workplaces in general and agriculture sectors in particular is ill defined in Ethiopia. Pocket studies in developing countries indicate that occupational injury due to an unsafe working environment is increasing. Objectives : To determine the magnitude of occupational injury and describe factors affecting its happening among workers of Tendaho State Farm located in Afar Region. Methods : Cross-sectional study design was employed to assess  occupational injuries among randomly selected 810 workers in August, 2006. A structured questionnaire based interviews, work environment observation, physical examination of study subjects for injury, and reviewing medical records for injury were used to collect the data. Results : The overall occupational injury prevalence rate was 783 per 1000 exposed workers per year. Seventy (11%) injured workers were hospitalized. Most (90%) of hospitalization was for more than 24 hours. Only one death was reported in the preceding 12 months prior to the study. A total of 6153 work-days were lost, at an average of 11.4 days per an injured worker per year. Working more than 48 hours per week [AOR: 8.27, 95% CI:(4.96-13.79)], absence of health and safety training [AOR: 2.87, 95% CI: (1.02-8.06)], sleeping disorder [AOR: 1.64, 95% CI: (1.12-2.41)], alcohol consumption [AOR: 1.72, 95% CI: (1.06-2.80)], job dissatisfaction [OR: 1.83, 95% CI: (1.30-2.58)] and absence of protective devices [OR: 3.18, (1.40-7.23)] were significant factors that contributed to the prevailing occupational injuries. Conclusion : Multiple factors related to the work organization and  employee’s behavior increased the risk of occupational injuries. Continued on the job training, sustained work place inspections and proving occupational health and safety services should get emphasis in work places.