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East African Journal of Public Health
East African Public Health Association
ISSN: 0856-8960
Vol. 2, No. 1, 2005, pp. 21-26
Bioline Code: lp05006
Full paper language: English
Document type: Research Article
Document available free of charge

East African Journal of Public Health, Vol. 2, No. 1, 2005, pp. 21-26

 en Felt Occupational and Environmental Health Hazards Among Workers in Small-Scale Industries in Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania: Focus Group Discussion Study
Rongo, LMB; de Haan, S; Barten, F; Msamanga, G I; Dolmans, WMV; van Naerssen, T & Heederik, D

Abstract

Objective: While the informal sector is rapidly emerging as the major source of employment in poor countries, little is known to the health hazards encountered by the workers in small-scale industries (SSI).
Methods: We interviewed and conducted 11 focus group discussions (FGDs) among the workers in SSI to assess felt occupational and environmental health hazards (EHH), two each among food vendors and residents living near SSI to assess their perception of EHH; and two FGDs among health workers to assess work related health complaints among the SSI workers.
Results: SSI workers were aware of occupational and EHH. SSI owners were not given permanent workplace by local government. The unavailability of permanent workplaces has caused some owners of SSI to give a low priority in investing in health and safety at workplaces.
Conclusions: A clear policy by Local Government for the informal sector addressing priority issues such as permanent workplaces for SSI is needed. Also a reorientation of health services towards protection and promotion of health of low-income urban residents in SSI may contribute to an improvement of working conditions and thus a positive impact on workers’ health in urban centres.

Keywords
Urban informal sector; occupational health; environmental health; community participation; focus group discussion

 
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