Knowledge and Use of Personal Protective Equipment among Auto Technicians in Uyo, Nigeria

Background: Personal protective equipment (PPE) plays a very important role in minimizing exposure to workplace hazards among automobile technicians. This study was carried out to determine the knowledge and use of PPE among auto technicians in Uyo, Nigeria.

Materials and Methods: A cross sectional descriptive study was carried out among auto technicians in Uyo from 15th to 21st November, 2015. Data collection was done using an interviewer administered semi structured questionnaire which examined the socio demographic characteristics, knowledge and use of PPE among respondents selected using simple random sampling method. Data was analyzed with the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) version 20. Level of significance was set at 0.5.

Results: A total of 151 auto technicians participated in the study. The mean age of respondents was 30.95±4.8 years. Majority, 148 (98.0%) were males. Sixty seven (44.4%) had only primary education, while 72, (47.7%) also completed secondary education. Auto mechanics constituted 61.6% of respondents. The most commonly known PPE among respondents were overalls 146 (96.7%), while the least was cream 54 (35.8%). Mechanics were significantly more knowledgeable about overalls and boots than other groups of auto technicians (p<0.05). A total of 122 (80.8%) respondents had good knowledge of PPE. This was significantly higher among mechanics (p< 0.03). However, only 42 (27.8%) respondents’ level of utilization of PPE could be classified as good. The most utilized PPE were overalls, 119 (78.8%). No respondent reported receiving any form of training on workplace safety.

Conclusion: There was low utilization of PPE despite a relatively high knowledge level. Routine training of automobile technicians on the link between PPE utilization and workplace health and safety is strongly advocated. Legislation and enforcement of PPE use by auto technicians may also be of benefit.