PreprintArticleVersion 1Preserved in Portico This version is not peer-reviewed
Occupational Noise Induced Hearing Loss in the Mining Sector in South Africa: How Are Mineworkers Trained—Perspective from Occupational Health Personnels
Version 1
: Received: 18 October 2018 / Approved: 18 October 2018 / Online: 18 October 2018 (12:04:09 CEST)
How to cite:
Moroe, N. Occupational Noise Induced Hearing Loss in the Mining Sector in South Africa: How Are Mineworkers Trained—Perspective from Occupational Health Personnels. Preprints2018, 2018100422. https://doi.org/10.20944/preprints201810.0422.v1
Moroe, N. Occupational Noise Induced Hearing Loss in the Mining Sector in South Africa: How Are Mineworkers Trained—Perspective from Occupational Health Personnels. Preprints 2018, 2018100422. https://doi.org/10.20944/preprints201810.0422.v1
Moroe, N. Occupational Noise Induced Hearing Loss in the Mining Sector in South Africa: How Are Mineworkers Trained—Perspective from Occupational Health Personnels. Preprints2018, 2018100422. https://doi.org/10.20944/preprints201810.0422.v1
APA Style
Moroe, N. (2018). Occupational Noise Induced Hearing Loss in the Mining Sector in South Africa: How Are Mineworkers Trained—Perspective from Occupational Health Personnels. Preprints. https://doi.org/10.20944/preprints201810.0422.v1
Chicago/Turabian Style
Moroe, N. 2018 "Occupational Noise Induced Hearing Loss in the Mining Sector in South Africa: How Are Mineworkers Trained—Perspective from Occupational Health Personnels" Preprints. https://doi.org/10.20944/preprints201810.0422.v1
Abstract
The aim of this study was to explore perspectives of occupation health personnels (OHPs) regarding education and training of mineworkers on occupational noise induced hearing loss (ONIHL) and its impact on mineworkers’ hearing. Qualitative, in-depth telephonic and face-to-face interviews were conducted with 16 OHPs comprising representatives from the state, employer and labour as well as audiologists and occupational health hygienists. Purposive and snowball sampling were utilized to recruit participants. Data were analysed using inductive thematic analysis. Findings revealed that mineworkers have a superficial awareness and knowledge of the impact of noise on their hearing and health. Moreover, OHPs are not knowledgeable on how mineworkers are educated on ONIHL and its latent consequences. Furthermore, language, low levels of education and literacy as well as the financial constraints were factors that had a negative impact on raising awareness and training mineworkers. There is a need to prioritize health literacy among mineworkers. Additionally, audiologists need to play an active role in educating mineworkers about the effects of excessive exposure to noise. There is a need to take into account literacy levels and language barriers in planning training material for mineworkers.
Keywords
awareness; education; hearing loss; mineworkers; occupational health; health literacy; audiologists
Subject
Public Health and Healthcare, Public, Environmental and Occupational Health
Copyright:
This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
