article · Frontiers.
Work-related health hazards significantly impact battery technicians compared to office workers in Lagos State. A comparative study using interviewer-administered questionnaires showed that battery technicians experience higher rates of memory loss, drowsiness, numbness in the limbs, constipation, and easy fatigability. They also report more respiratory and skin issues, including itching, breathing difficulties, sneezing, and runny noses, whereas cough is more prevalent among office workers. Health-seeking patterns vary markedly between the two groups. Battery technicians rely far more on chemist shops and self-medication rather than seeking care at formal health facilities. Statistical analysis reveals that memory loss increases with years of technical work, while easy fatigue is inversely linked to income. These results highlight an urgent need for targeted occupational health education, workplace safety enhancements, and better access to qualified healthcare services.
Battery repair and maintenance involves exposure to dangerous materials that can cause severe, long-term health problems. Understanding the precise symptoms and treatment-seeking habits of these workers enables policymakers, healthcare providers, and community organisations to design better safety regulations, workplace training, and accessible medical services tailored to informal or vulnerable occupational groups.
The abstract does not indicate a direct commercial application pathway. However, the observational data could inform the design of targeted occupational health training programmes, private safety equipment initiatives, or specialised clinical services catering to informal automotive and battery repair sectors.
AI-generated from the published abstract. Always read the original work before citing.
Battery technicians are exposed to work-related health risks, and their health-seeking behavior plays a critical role in determining health outcomes. This study assessed work-related health problems and health-seeking behaviors among battery technicians and office workers in Lagos State. A cross-sectional design was employed using multi-stage sampling and interviewer-administered questionnaires. Data were analyzed with SPSS version 20, and results were presented in tables. Chi-square and Fisher’s exact tests were used to determine significance at p ≤ 0.05. Battery technicians reported significantly higher rates of memory loss, drowsiness, limb numbness, constipation, and easy fatigability, as well as skin itching, breathing difficulty, sneezing, and runny nose, compared to office workers. Conversely, cough was more common among office workers. Health-seeking behaviors also differed: battery technicians were more likely to rely on chemist shops and self-medication than formal health facilities, a difference that was statistically significant. Memory loss was positively associated with years of work among technicians, while limb numbness was negatively associated with daily working hours of office workers. Easy fatigability was inversely related to technicians’ monthly income, and skin redness was negatively associated with years of work. Sneezing showed mixed associations, being negatively related to technicians’ income and office workers’ years of service but positively associated with technicians’ years of work. These findings underscore the need for targeted occupational health education, regular training, and improved access to qualified healthcare services for battery technicians. Strengthening workplace safety and promoting healthier health-seeking behaviors are essential for safeguarding this vulnerable workforce.
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DOI: 10.11648/j.frontiers.20250504.14
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