An auto mechanic is a worker who repairs and overhauls cars
and other automotive vehicles, or their systems and parts.
They usually work in service garages or workshops where they
are exposed to several occupational hazards such as anticorrosive
substances, metal crusts from car parts, high energy
radiations, asbestos, paint pigments, and automobile exhaust. The exposure to these hazards may result in ocular and
systemic conditions that may ultimately lead to visual impairment
and/or death. Visual impairment irrespective of its cause
is responsible for a significant number of handicaps in today’s
society. The health of workers is important in determining the
ability of employees to maintain productivity. Injuries at
the workplace and high sickness absences will impact on the
well-being of workers. The presence of ocular disorders
in industrial workers may result in visual impairment, suffering,
reduced productivity, machines and monetary loss. A
worker’s eye may be exposed to a variety of dangerous agents
depending on the type of industry, which may constitute an
occupational hazard. Most of these hazards are avoidable if
adequate preventive measures are taken.
Although auto-mechanics form a significant portion of the
working class in Ghana, there is very little information on eye
care documented on this workforce. A cross sectional
study by Abu et al. among mechanics in the Cape Coast municipality in Ghana indicated a high prevalence of ocular
conditions and a low usage of protective wear.
This study therefore seeks to determine the prevalence of
ocular conditions and investigate safety practices among auto
mechanics in the Suame – Magazine Area within the Kumasi
Metropolis.
We conducted a descriptive cross-sectional study at the
Suame – Magazine Area. The selection of this area was based
on the fact that it housed most of the auto mechanic garages
in the Kumasi metropolis and has the additional advantage
of being easily accessible. Five zones were randomly selected
out of the twenty six zones in the Suame – Magazine area.
Open invitations were sent to all the zones to participate and
those who responded were registered for screening at the
appointed dates. A total of 175 auto mechanics were registered
for the study while 150 auto mechanics turned up at the
screening centers (participation rate of 86.0%).
The visual examination was done at the job site of selected
auto mechanic workshops. The research participants were
guided to fill questionnaires where possible, and where there
was difficulty, the questionnaire was read out to them and
filled based on their responses.
All respondents underwent ophthalmic examination including
detailed ocular and medical history, Snellen distant and near
visual acuity assessment, external eye examination, and funduscopy.
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