Abstract

Mortality and morbidity figures associated with tuberculosis are generally scary. Raw materials involved in the pottery making process contain crystalline silica which has been documented as risk factors to the development of tuberculosis. Unfortunately Nigeria pottery workers have no formal occupational health services. This study determined the knowledge of risk factors and preventive practices against pulmonary tuberculosis among pottery workers in Oye, Nigeria. A descriptive cross sectional study was carried out among 198 pottery workers selected using multistage sampling method. Research instrument consisted of a semi structured interviewer administered pretested questionnaire. Data was analyzed using the SPSS software version 23.0. Results shows that a one hundred and ninety four (98%) of the respondents have ever heard of pulmonary tuberculosis, 178(89.9%) of them don't know whether clay soil contained chemicals that could predispose them to tuberculosis. Only 64.1%, 56.6% and 59.1% had good mean general knowledge, good mean knowledge of prevention and good mean perception scores to tuberculosis respectively. Sixty three (31.8%) said that pottery workers are among those at risk of developing Tuberculosis (TB). Only 51 (25.8%) said they used protective equipment. Predictors of good general knowledge and good perception of TB include age above 24 years, being female, having post primary school education, having spent more than 5 years in pottery business and using protective devices (p<0.005). There is need for recognition and prioritization of all silica-exposed workers for screening and treatment services in anti-TB programmes of the Government.

Keywords: Pottery workers, Silica, Hazards, Tuberculosis, Knowledge