Agwah, Eunice Ifeyinwa2026-03-212026-03-212025-04Agwah, E. I. (2025). Occupation-related health challenges of welders and wood work artisans in Imo State, Nigeria [Unpublished Doctoral Thesis]. Federal University of Technology, Owerri, Nigeriahttps://repository.futo.edu.ng/handle/20.500.14562/2432This thesis is for the award of Doctor of Philosophy(PhD) in Public Health, Environmental Health and Safety OptionArtisans constitute a substantial proportion of the nation’s labour force, but they are vulnerable to occupation-related health challenges. A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted from October, 2022 to April, 2023 in Okigwe, Orlu and Owerri, Imo State, which aimed at assessing health challenges of welders and wood work artisans. A total of four hundred (400) artisans, comprising one hundred and eight-four (184) welders and two hundred and sixteen (216) wood workers participated in this study. Their selection was via multi-stage stratified random sampling technique based on informed consent, with all the ethical requirements obtained. Validated questionnaire, physical examination tools and workplace air quality assessment tools were used for data collection. Ocular, respiratory, hearing, skin, musculoskeletal and blood pressure work-related health conditions were assessed. Data collected were analyzed using chi square, t-test and logistic regression method. Results obtained showed prevalence of ocular (welders: 74.5%; woodworkers: 71.8%), respiratory (welders: 57.1%; woodworkers: 70.4%), hearing (welders: 46.5%; woodworkers: 50.5%), skin (welders: 57.6%; woodworkers: 70.4%), musculoskeletal (welders: 85.3%; woodworkers: 89.4%) and blood pressure (welders 39.7%; woodworkers 40.2%). Commonly reported ocular symptoms included itching and tearing, while respiratory symptoms were chest pain and cough. Hearing symptoms were ear heaviness and humming sensation, while skin symptoms included irritation and itching. Musculoskeletal symptom was waist pain, while arterial pressure symptom was headache. The most prevalent ocular problems detected included conjunctivitis (139: 34.8%) and arc eye (60: 15.0%), with wood workers at increased risk of conjunctivitis (109, 50.5%), and welders at higher risk of arc eye (60, 32.6%). The mean peak expiratory flow rates were 396.2±47.3l/min (for welders) and 385.1±52.4l/min (for woodworkers), indicating a decline in lung function of both artisans, with wood workers at more risk. Most artisans had hearing problems (welders: 105, 57.1%; wood workers: 123, 56.9%), with welders at higher risk. Coarse and scaly palms were the most prevalent skin problems, with welders at more risk of coarse palms (welders; 60, 32.6%), and woodworkers at higher risk of scaly palms (woodworkers: 50, 29.2%). Greater proportion of artisans had musculoskeletal issues (welders: 157, 85.3%; woodworkers: 190, 88.0%), with wood worker at more risk. Substantial proportion of both artisans were hypertensive (welders: 73, 39.7%; wood workers: 88, 40.7%), with wood workers at higher risk. Significant difference existed between welders and woodworkers in their respective ocular (P=0.0001, likelihood ratio=160.3); respiratory (difference in mean PEFR, P=0.027, t=2.224); and skin health conditions (P=0.0001, chi q=169.23). No significant difference was found between welders and wood artisans in their respective hearing (P=0.981, chi sq=0.006); musculoskeletal (P=0.438, chi Sq=0.601) and arterial pressure health conditions (P=0.828, chi sq=0.042). Workrelated hazards encountered by artisans included physical hazards of noise (welders: 181, 98.4%) and wood particles (wood workers: 208, 96.3%); chemical hazards of metal fumes (welders: 119, 64.7%) and wood dust (woodworkers: 198, 91.7%); ergonomic hazards of manual lifting of objects (welders: 144, 78.3%; wood workers: 130, 60.2%); biological hazard of insect bite (welders (102, 55.4%; wood workers: 132, 61.1%); and psycho-social hazard of stress (welders: 144, 78.3%; woodworkers: 130, 60.2%). Air quality assessment in artisans’ workplace showed significant mean values far above the WHO tolerable limits for parameters measured. Age, years at work and daily income were found to be significantly associated with occurrence of health challenges. Increased sensitization and education towards health protection as well as provision of functoccupational safety and health services were therefore recommended for this economically viable category of artisans to safeguard their health.enAttribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 InternationalOccupationhealth challengeswelderswoodworkersartisansDepartment of Public HealthDoctoral Thesis