Safety and Health at Work

Occupational Safety and Health Research Institute, Korea Occupational Safety and Health Agency (산업안전보건연구원)
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Assessment of Noise Exposure and Hearing Loss Among Workers in Textile Mill (Thamine), Myanmar: A Cross-Sectional Study

  • Zaw, Aung K. (Department of Research and Development, Defence Services Medical School) ;
  • Myat, Aung M. (Occupational Health and Environmental Division, Department of Public Health, Ministry of Health and Sports) ;
  • Thandar, Mya (Department of Environmental and Occupational Health, University of Public Health) ;
  • Htun, Ye M. (Department of Prevention and Research Development of Hepatitis, AIDS and Other Viral Diseases, Health and Disease Control Unit) ;
  • Aung, Than H. (Department of Health Promotion, Health and Disease Control Unit) ;
  • Tun, Kyaw M. (Department of Preventive and Social Medicine, Defence Services Medical Academy) ;
  • Han, Zaw M. (Defence Services Liver Hospital)
  • Received : 2019.11.29
  • Accepted : 2020.04.09
  • Published : 2020.06.30
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Abstract

Background: In a wide range of industries, noise-induced hearing loss remains one of the most prevalent occupational problems. This study aimed to assess the noise exposure level and associated factors of hearing loss among textile workers in Yangon Region, Myanmar. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted at a Textile mill (Thamine), Yangon Region, from April to December 2018. In total, 226 workers who were randomly selected from 3 weaving sections participated in face-to-face interviews using a structured questionnaire. A digital sound level meter and pure-tone audiometer were used for the assessment of noise exposure level and hearing loss, respectively. Logistic regression analysis was performed to assess the associated factors of hearing loss. Results: In total workers, 66.4% were exposed to ≥85 dB(A) of noise exposure, and the prevalence of hearing loss was 25.7%. Age ≥35 years, below high school education, hearing difficulty, tinnitus, hypertension, > 9 years of service duration in a textile mill were positively associated with hearing loss. After adjusting confounding factors, age ≥35 years (adjusted odds ratio = 6.90, 95% confidence interval = 3.45-13.82) and tinnitus (adjusted odds ratio = 2.88, 95% confidence interval = 1.13-7.37) were persistently associated with hearing loss. Conclusion: Providing occupational hazard education and enforcement of occupational safety regulations should be taken to decrease the noise exposure level. The regular audiometry test should be conducted for assessment of hearing threshold shift. The employer needs to implement a hearing conservation program in workplace when noise exposure reaches or exceeds 85 dB(A) for 8 hours.

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