International Journal of Medicine Research

Authors
Sammy Wafula Simiyu, Wilberforce Cholo

Abstract
An Occupational injury is any personal injury, disease or death resulting from an occupational accident; an occupational injury is therefore distinct from an occupational disease, which is a disease contracted as a result of an exposure over a period of time to risk factors arising from work activity. Today, despite all efforts by those concerned with the workers’ health, occupational accidents and injuries cause a huge human to suffering workers and their families and economic losses; public awareness of occupational health services remains generally low. Furthermore, occupational health does not get the priority it deserves. The purpose of this study was to establish the determinants of occupational injuries among Jua kali metal workers. This was achieved by identifying the factors contributing to the occurrence of occupational injuries among metal workers; and identifying the appropriate measures put in place to prevent the occurrence of occupational injuries. The study used a cross sectional descriptive design. The sampling frame is estimated to be 2455 workers in 782 workshops. Kamukunji Jua Kali Area was purposively selected because it is the biggest jua kali market in Nairobi County. Systematic sampling method was used to select 258 workshops. With the workshops as cluster, cluster sampling was used to determine the number of respondents interviewed in each workshop. The desired number of respondents was then randomly selected Observational checklist was used for data collection. Three officials from Kamukunji Jua Kali Association were interviewed at the Shauri Moyo office. The collected information was coded and entered in a computer program. The data was then analyzed using specific statistical tests. Initial letter authorizing the study was obtained from Mount Kenya University and permission from the Nairobi City County. According to the study injuries could be minimized by provision and proper use of PPEs, decongesting workshops, guarding of machines and by reducing working hours.