Saf Health Work.
2020 Jun;11(2):199-206. 10.1016/j.shaw.2020.04.002.
Assessment of Noise Exposure and Hearing Loss Among Workers in Textile Mill (Thamine), Myanmar: A Cross-Sectional Study
- Affiliations
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- 1Department of Research and Development, Defence Services Medical School, Hmawbi, Myanmar
- 2Occupational Health and Environmental Division, Department of Public Health, Ministry of Health and Sports, Nay Pyi Taw, Myanmar
- 3Department of Environmental and Occupational Health, University of Public Health, Yangon, Myanmar
- 4Department of Prevention and Research Development of Hepatitis, AIDS and Other Viral Diseases, Health and Disease Control Unit, Nay Pyi Taw, Myanmar
- 5Department of Health Promotion, Health and Disease Control Unit, Nay Pyi Taw, Myanmar
- 6Department of Preventive and Social Medicine, Defence Services Medical Academy, Yangon, Myanmar
- 7Defence Services Liver Hospital, Yangon, Myanmar
- KMID: 2504293
- DOI: http://doi.org/10.1016/j.shaw.2020.04.002
Abstract
- Background
In a wide range of industries, noise-induced hearing loss remains one of the most prevalent occupational problems. This study aimed to assess the noise exposure level and associated factors of hearing loss among textile workers in Yangon Region, Myanmar.
Methods
A cross-sectional study was conducted at a Textile mill (Thamine), Yangon Region, from April to December 2018. In total, 226 workers who were randomly selected from 3 weaving sections participated in face-to-face interviews using a structured questionnaire. A digital sound level meter and pure-tone audiometer were used for the assessment of noise exposure level and hearing loss, respectively. Logistic regression analysis was performed to assess the associated factors of hearing loss.
Results
In total workers, 66.4% were exposed to 85 dB(A) of noise exposure, and the prevalence of hearing loss was 25.7%. Age 35 years, below high school education, hearing difficulty, tinnitus, hypertension, > 9 years of service duration in a textile mill were positively associated with hearing loss. After adjusting confounding factors, age 35 years (adjusted odds ratio = 6.90, 95% confidence interval = 3.45-13.82) and tinnitus (adjusted odds ratio = 2.88, 95% confidence interval = 1.13-7.37) were persistently associated with hearing loss.
Conclusion
Providing occupational hazard education and enforcement of occupational safety regulations should be taken to decrease the noise exposure level. The regular audiometry test should be conducted for assessment of hearing threshold shift. The employer needs to implement a hearing conservation program in workplace when noise exposure reaches or exceeds 85 dB(A) for 8 hours.
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