Exposure to occupational health hazards among Zambian workers: Results from the 2009 National Labour Force Survey

Objective To determine the prevalence and associated factors for occupational health hazards exposure in Zambia. Methods Data collected in the 2009 National Labour Force Survey using a two-stage cluster sampling technique. We estimated the prevalence of exposures to selected health hazards and the association between occupational health hazards exposure and age, sex, education, marital and employment status. Unadjusted odds ratios (OR) and adjusted odds rations (AOR) and their 95% confidence intervals (CI) were used to measure magnitude of association. Results Exposure to occupational hazards among the 64,119 respondents included vibrations from hand tools or machinery (3.4%), high temperatures (4.4%), low temperatures whether indoors or outdoors (3.7%), smoke, fumes, powder or dust inhalation (13.1%), inhalation of vapours from chemicals such as solvents and thinners (2.1%), pesticides (3.4%), noise (4.3%), chemical handling or skin contact (3.4%), handling of infectious materials or waste such as laboratory materials, bodily fluids, and carcasses (2.3%), heavy object lifting, frequent bending of the back, rapid movement of limbs causing body pain (30.4%), and exposure to radiation such as X-rays or other radioactive radiation, welding light and laser beam (1.2%). In multivariate analysis, exposure to occupational health hazards was associated with older age, male sex, low education, being married/cohabiting, and being employed. Conclusions Results from this study indicate Zambian workers are exposed to a broad range of occupational health hazards. The results of the present study could be useful for the formulation of a multi-sectoral approach aiming at the prevention and control of occupational hazards.