A Study to Assess the Effectiveness of an Information Booklet in Terms of Knowledge Regarding Occupational Hazards and Safety among Workers Working in Selected Chemical Factories of Ahmedabad District of Gujarat State

Background India is a growing economy, the world’s most vibrant and largest democracy and an aspiring superpower. Occupational safety and health (OSH) for India is a developmental tool’ and an empowering movement. As a result of globalization, Indian industry is exposed to the latest trends in OSH. Progressive industries have launched many initiatives to spread awareness on OSH among all stakeholders and to reduce OSH risks at workplace. A large number of companies have a corporate health, safety and environment (HSE) policy and have opted for various certifications in OHS^[1].Nearly 3.0 million nonfatal workplace injuries and illnesses were reported by private industry employers in 2012, resulting in an incidence rate of 3.4 cases per 100 equivalent full-time workers, according to estimates from the Survey of Occupational Injuries and Illnesses (SOII) conducted by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics^[2].India’s population has crossed 1.21 billion according to recently released figures of the last government census carried out in 2011. Of these, 833 million reside in rural area and 377 million reside in urban area. Those in working age group are estimated to be 63.6%. More than 90% work in the informal economy, mainly agriculture and services (60% self-employed and 30% without regular jobs)^[3].Statistics on accidents and occupational illnesses is not easily available. The Director General of the Factory Advisory Services and Labour Institutes (DGFASLI) reported 1,509 fatal and 33,093 non-fatal injuries in 2009, using records from registered factories which employed about 5% of total workforce^[4]. Research reports suggest that the official figures of fatalities and injuries may be grossly underestimated. The objectives of the study were 1)To assess the knowledge of workers regarding occupational hazards and safety.2) To evaluate the effectiveness of information booklet on knowledge regarding occupational hazards and safety.3) To find out association of pre-test knowledge score towards occupational hazards and safety with selected demographic variables of workers.Material and Methods- Data was collected from 6o samples with structured questionnaire to evaluate the effectiveness of informational booklet. Assessment done from 0day,7day and follow up to assess knowledge. Result-Majority of the samples (38.3%) was in the age group of 26-33 years. As regards to gender majority of samples (88.3%) were male. As regards to educational status majority of samples (36.7%) had Higher Education. As regards to the total work experience majority of samples (66.7%) had 1.1-5 years of experience. as regards to Monthly Income majority (68.3%) samples were in 5001-10,000. As regards to types of employment majority of samples (90%) were in temporary type. As regards to source of Information majority of samples (90%) had never attended any seminar or training on OHS. As regards to type of exposure majority of samples (76.7%) had direct exposure. As regards to duration of exposure to dye per day majority of samples (58.3%) had 6 to 9 hours of exposure. As regards to duration of periodical health checkup majority of samples (61.7%) had need base. As regards to presence of any occupational disease or illness majority of samples (83.3%) had no any disease or illness. The mean pre test knowledge score was 11.17 and the mean post test knowledge score was 18.17.

Conclusion-The overall experience of conducting this study was satisfying one, as there was good co-operation from patient. The study was a new learning experience for the Researcher. The aim of the study was to assess the factors affecting to compliance of antiretroviral treatment, were 73% patients believe in ART, 72% aware about ART, 69% believe that ART increase life span. 75% stigma affect, 74%respond that special consideration given for ART where they doing job,89% patient said cost of transportation affect 71% experience the side effect, 49% patient said side effect of ART has impact in regularity of treatment, 58% patient said other medicine affects in compliance to ART. These data will assist the health workers to detect the high risk patient who need intervention for compliance to ART.