Knowledge, Attitudes and Practices on Noise Induced Hearing Loss among Factory Workers of Two Dairy Product Manufacturing Factories in Gampaha District, Sri Lanka

Abstract

The main purpose of this study was to describe dairy product manufacturing factory workers’ knowledge, attitudes and practices on Noise Induced Hearing Loss. A cross-sectional study was conducted involving 187 factory workers in two factories in the Gamapaha District. A self-administered questionnaire was used to obtain information pertaining to knowledge, attitudes and practices related to Noise Induced Hearing Loss. In the study, it was found out that knowledge on risk factors of NIHL (23.5%) and symptoms of NIHL (38%) was weak. Even though most of the workers (76.5%) perceive noise as a usual phenomenon in the working area, 77% of the workers were willing to seek medical attention if the hearing starts to deteriorate. The overall practice level was not satisfactory. 80.2% of the workers have never used hearing protection devices (HPD) while working. 98.9% of the workers have never undergone a hearing evaluation and 99.5% of the workers have never attended to a hearing conservation program. 95% of the workers reported that the occurrence of hearing deterioration due to high level of noise was worrying. Only 0.5% of the workers reported wearing HPD while working. 80.2% of the workers never used HPD during work. There was a significant association between aspects of work experience and HPD usage (2= 5.193, p= 0.02). In conclusion, it was discovered that there is a need to have a hearing conservation program that stresses on the use of hearing protective devices to prevent the occupational noise induced hearing loss in the particular setting.