Work-Related Accidents on a Hospital Construction Site in Benin

Introduction: Work-related accidents are frequent and serious in the construction sector. The aim of the study was to determine the frequency and factors associated with occupational accidents on the construction site of a referral hospital in Benin. Methods: A cross-sectional study was carried out. The sample size was calculated using the Schwartz form adjusted for the number of workers on site and was 129 workers. Random sampling was used. The dependent variable was work-related accidents. The other variables were socio-demographic and occupational characteristics. Data were collected through a questionnaire survey. Medians and proportions were calculated. An association was sought using Chi-square and Fisher tests with a threshold of p Results: A total of 132 workers were included. Their median age was 30 years with an ITQ of [27 - 38];men were the most represented 126 (95.45%) with a level of education higher than or equal to high school in 101 (76.52%) and in the majority with a permanent status 85 (64.39%). Seniority of more than 5 years was observed in 92 (69.7%). Workers working more than 8 hours of overtime per week numbered 57 (43.18%). Exposure to vibrating objects was 49 (37.12%). In terms of psychosocial constraints, 82.58% had high psychological demands;79.53% low decision-making latitude;50.76% low social support. The frequency of work-related accidents was 6.82%, and the only associated factor was the type of worker (p = 0.016). On the other hand, there were 10.2% accidents among workers handling vibrating objects versus 4.98% among those not using them. With regard to psychosocial constraints, the following frequencies were recorded respectively: 6.42% among those with high psychological demand versus 8.7% among those with low psychological demand;7.62% among those with low decision-making latitude versus 3.7% among those with high decision-making latitude;8.96% among those with low social support versus 4.62% among those with high support. Conclusion: Work-related accidents on construction sites must be avoided by all possible means including the management of psychosocial constraints.

Prevalence and Factors Associated with Diabetes among City Hall Workers, Bohicon, Benin

Introduction: Living and working conditions are increasingly conducive to a sedentary lifestyle. Many administrative workers are exposed daily to long hours of work in a prolonged sitting position, which can favour the onset of diabetes. The aim of the study was to determine the prevalence and factors associated with diabetes among workers at a town hall in Benin in 2019. Methods: This was a descriptive cross-sectional study conducted from December 2018 to January 2019. Exhaustive recruitment was carried out. Data were collected during a face-to-face interview, using a standardized questionnaire including socio-professional factors, behavioral factors, anthropometric measurements, and blood glucose. Frequencies were calculated. Frequencies were compared using the chi-square and Fisher tests. The significance threshold was 5%. Results: A total of 85 workers were included. Their mean age was 41.55 ± 9.82 years, with a sex ratio of 6.1. = The prevalence of diabetes was estimated at 8.2% [95% CI: 3.38 - 16.23%] and 3 of the workers knew they had diabetes. A family history of diabetes was associated with diabetes (p = 0.032). Occupationally, 10.77% of permanent employees had diabetes, compared with 0.0% of non-permanent employees;12.50% of employees with at least 10 years’ seniority had diabetes, compared with 7.25% of those with less seniority;19.05% of employees who spent at least 6 hours a day sitting at work had diabetes, compared with 4.69% of those who spent less time sitting. Conclusion: Preventing chronic disease in the workplace is part of promoting workers’ health, and must take into account occupational factors such as prolonged sitting.