Effect of Health Education on Knowledge of Occupational Health Hazards Among Auto Technicians in Cross River State, Nigeria
Dominic A Offiong, Antor O Ndep , Joseph A Omang, Monica A Elaunire
Abstract
Introduction: The International Labour Organization estimates that about 2.3 million people around the world succumb to occupational accidents or diseases every year. Aim/ objectives: This study aimed to evaluate the effect of health education on knowledge of occupational health hazards among auto-technicians in Cross River State, Nigeria. Methodology: Guided by two research questions and one hypothesis, the study employed a quasi-experimental design consisting of three phases: pre-intervention survey, health education intervention, and post- intervention survey. A sample size of 222 auto-technicians (111 for control and intervention groups respectively), was selected using a multi-stage sampling technique. The instrument used in the collection of data was a semi-structured questionnaire. The Data was analysed using chi-square statistics and paired sample t-tests, with a significance level set at P<0.05. Results and discussion: Majority of the auto-technicians were male 108 (97.3%) and with an age bracket of 21-30 years 104 (93.7%). Baseline findings revealed a low knowledge level of occupational health hazards between the control 27 (24%) and intervention group 30 (27%), which were not statistically significant (P= 0.113; ?2= 4.356). The end-line finding showed a high knowledge level of occupational health hazards between the control 28 (25%) and intervention group 108 (97.3%), which were statistically significant (P=0.001; ?2= 121.0). Conclusion/recommendation: The targeted health education intervention significantly improved auto technicians’ knowledge of occupational health hazards. The translation of improved knowledge into preventive practices may require further study. A holistic occupational health and safety education during the monthly meeting of the auto technician’s association is recommended.
Keywords
References
Thangaraj, S., & Shireen, N. (2017). Occupational health hazards among automobile
mechanics working in an urban area of Bangalore –a cross sectional study. International
Journal of Medical Science and Public Health, 6, 18-22.
International Labour Organization (2019). Safety and health at the heart of the future
of work: Building on 100 years of experience Switzerland, Geneva.
Afolabi, F. J., de Beer, P., & Haafkens, J. A. (2021). Occupational Risk Perception and
the Use of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE): A Study Among Informal Automobile
Artisans
in
Osun
State,
Nigeria.
SAGE
Open,
11(1).
https://doi.org/10.1177/2158244021994585
Adeogun, B. K, and Okafor C.C, (2013). Occupational Health, Safety and Environment
(HSE) Trend in Nigeria’. International Journal of Environmental Science, Management
and Engineering Research, 2 (1), 2013, 24-29.
Diugwu, I. A, Baba D. L, and Egila A. E, (2012). Effective Regulation and Level of
Awareness: An Expose of the Nigeria’s Construction Industry. Open Journal of Safety
Science and Technology, 2, 2012. 140-146.
Rockefeller Foundation (2013). Health vulnerabilities of informal workers. New York
NY: The Rockefeller Foundation (www.rockefellerfoundation.org/report/health-
vulnerabilities-of-informal-workers)
Oche, O. M., Nneka, O. C., Abiola, O. R., Raji, I., Jessica, A. T., Bala, H. A., & Adamu,
I. (2020). Determinants of occupational health hazards among roadside automobile
mechanics in Sokoto Metropolis, Nigeria. Annals of African medicine, 19(2), 80–88.
https://doi.org/10.4103/aam.aam_50_18
Yosef, T., Sineshaw, E., & Shifera, N. (2023). Occupational injuries and contributing
factors among industry park construction workers in Northwest Ethiopia. Frontiers in
public health, 10, 1060755. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpubh.2022.1060755
Gharibi, V., Kiani, M., & Shariat, A. (2019). The effect of the occupational safety and
health management system on safety performance: The mediating role of safety
motivation and supervisor support in car repair shop workers. International Journal of
occupational safety and ergonomics, 25(4), 645-654.
Alizadeh, R., Choobineh, A., Tabatabaei, S. H., & Farshad, A. A. (2020). An
investigation of the occupational health and safety knowledge, attitude, and practice
among Iranian automobile repair shop owners and workers. Work, 67(3), 765-774.
Siqueira, I. R., Morales, D. A., Faustino-Silva, D. D., & Maciel, R. D. (2021).
Occupational risks perceptions among automotive mechanics: a study in a Brazilian
city. International Journal of Injury Control and Safety Promotion, 2891), 80-86
Zhong B. (2009). How to calculate sample size in randomized controlled trial?. Journal
of thoracic disease, 1(1), 51–54.
Bolarinwa O. A. (2015). Principles and methods of validity and reliability testing of
questionnaires used in social and health science researches. The Nigerian postgraduate
medical journal, 22(4), 195–201. https://doi.org/10.4103/1117-1936.173959
Elemile, M. G., Kio J. O., Abolarin I. O., Makanjuola O. J (2019). Knowledge and
Socio-demographic determinants of occupational hazard prevention among automobile
mechanics in Akure South Local Government, Ondo State, Nigeria. Res. J. of Health
Sci. 7(3), July/September 2019
Odunola, A.O. & Ikubanni, Peter & Olayinka, Agboola & Abiodun, Olojede &
Onawumi, Ayodele. (2022). Investigation into combined occupational hazards among
automobile repairs workmen in Nigeria. International Journal of Human Factors and
Ergonomics. 9. 1. 10.1504/IJHFE.2022.10045442.
Richard A and Jackson K A, (2016). Occupational Health Hazards and Safety Practices
Among the Informal Sector Auto Mechanics. Applied Research Journal 2016, 1(4):
59-69 Richard Journal homepage: http://www.arj.presbyuniversity.edu.gh
Ozomata E. A, Osagiede E. F, and Onyebujoh T. J, (2022). Occupational health hazards
and use of personal protective equipment among automobile mechanics in Surulere
local government area of Lagos State, Nigeria - a descriptive study. IJOSH, 12, 1, 2022
(p-ISSN 2738-9707, e-ISSN 2091-0878)
Olarewaju S O, Sokan-Adeaga A A, Awoaafe F B, Akinyele C, Omobuwa O., (2021).
Assessment of Occupational Injuries and Safety Practices among AutomobileRepair
Artisans in Apo and Gudu Area of Abuja, Nigeria. Journal of Epidemiological Society
of Nigeria 4. 2 Dec. 2021 71-86
Johnson, O. E., & Bassey, E. A. (2016). Work habits and health problems of automobile
technicians at mechanic village, Uyo, Nigeria. Glo Adv Res J Med Med Sci, 5(5), 136-
Olaiya A. (2018). Assessment of the Knowledge, Attitudes and Perception of Potential
Occupational Hazards by Automobile Workers in Makurdi, Benue State, Nigeria.
American Journal of Health Research. 6. 37. 10.11648/j.ajhr.20180602.11.
Magoha, L., Nyanza, E. C., Asori, M., & Thomas, D. S. K. (2024). Informal welders'
occupational safety and environmental health risks in northwestern Tanzania. PLOS
global public health, 4(2), e0002923. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pgph.0002923
Imah, H. I. & Onyeaso, A. O. (2025). Effect of health education on knowledge of
occupational hazard and safety measures among palm oil workers in Delta State.
International Journal of Innovative Social & Science Education Research 13(2):165-
174, April-June, 2025. www.seahipublications.org ISSN: 2360-8978
Khadika R, Pandey I, Gautam L; (2019). Occupational health hazards and use of
personal protective equipment among auto mechanics in Kathmandu Metropolitan City,
Nepal. International Journal of Occupational Safety and Health, 11.1 (2021), 16 – 24.
Umoren, Q M, Ekanem, U S, Ofonime E. J and Motilewa O. O, (2016). An assessment
of the effect of health education on the use of personal protective equipment among
small scale welders (panel beaters) in Akwa Ibom state, Nigeria. DOI:
http://dx.doi.org/10.18203/2394-6040.ijcmph20163940
Olumide, A. O., & Owoaje, E. T. (2016). Effect of a road safety education intervention
on road safety knowledge of university drivers in Ibadan, Nigeria. Annals of Ibadan
postgraduate medicine, 14(1), 6-12.
