Occupational Diseases and Illnesses in Manufacturing Industries in Adamawa State: Causes and Effects.

Abstract

The high incidence rate of fatal diseases, illnesses and injuries prevalent among industrial workers and the consequent effect requiring days away from work to allow the worker time to recuperate is alarming and counterproductive. This research study was therefore designed to investigate the occupational health practices in manufacturing industries in Adamawa State. Four research questions were formulated to guide the study. The study was conducted among manufacturing industries within Adamawa State. Purposive sampling technique was used to select 200 industrial workers for the study. A 60-item questionnaire was used to collect the required data. Mean and standard deviation were used for data analysis. Data analysis revealed that a lot of fatal occupational diseases and illnesses exist in the industries; the possible sources of these diseases and illnesses are also numerous; it was also discovered that the level of industries compliance to occupational health regulations is poor with a consequent increase in fatalities. The study also recommended that: Federal Government and other appropriate authorities should ensure, monitoring and strict compliance with the occupational health regulations as contained in the factory Act of 1990 to reduce loss of workdays usually associated with victims of occupational diseases, illnesses and injuries.