Israel P. Nyarubeli

• University of Bergen

Background Noise exposure in the informal small-scale metal industry may cause hearing loss, due to metal manufacturing processes. In Tanzania, this industry uses hand tools in metal fabrication processes and is not regulated by authorities. Aim To describe noise exposure levels and to suggest possible improvements in the small-scale metal industr...

Introduction: In Tanzania, there are 50,000 cancer cases reported annually, and this number is projected to double by 2030. Workplace exposure to carcinogens may be a contributing factor to cancer risk. However, there is limited knowledge about the presence and use of carcinogenic chemicals at workplaces in developing countries, particularly in sub...

Introduction Ambient fine particulate matter (PM2.5) is a significant environmental and public health concern. Chemical concentrations and toxicity of PM2.5 vary depending on its sources and environmental conditions, necessitating a detailed understanding of their characteristics and respective health impacts. Methodology A scientific literature s...

Introduction Metal workers in small scale industries are involved in different metal fabrications activities using scraps and metals. They produce metal products such as pans, basins, spoons, boards, boxes, cookers, baking items and spoons. These metal fabrication activities produce noise. Noise is unwanted, unpleasant and louder sound which result...

Introduction Manufacturing factory workers in developing countries are at an increased risk of developing hearing loss from continuous exposure to high noise levels without hearing protection. However, use of hearing protection such as earmuffs has been an intervention of choice in many workplaces due to impracticability of engineering and administ...

Introduction The use of hearing protection devices (HPDs) has been an intervention of choice in many workplaces such as in the construction industry for quite some time due to impractical effects of engineering and administrative interventions. Questionnaires for assessment for HPDs use among construction workers have been developed and validated i...

Background Occupational noise is a common cause of hearing loss in low-income countries. Unfortunately, screening for hearing loss is rarely done due to technical and logistical challenges associated with pure tone audiometry. Wulira app is a valid and potentially cost-effective alternative to pure tone audiometry in screening for occupational hear...

Background: Workers in iron and steel factories in Tanzania are exposed to noise levels above recommended limit values, without using hearing protection devices. Exposure to noise levels above 85 dB(A) is associated with temporary threshold shifts (TTS) of human hearing. Nevertheless, there are few studies of noise and hearing from African countri...

Workers represent half of the world’s population and are the major contributors to socio-economic development. Continued, sustainable socio-economic development is only possible if workers have a decent working environment. The headline for Sustainable Development Goal 8 is to ‘Promote sustained, inclusive and sustainable economic growth, full and...

We assessed Knowledge Attitude and Practice (KAP) regarding occupational noise exposure, Noise-induced hearing loss, audiometry and use of hearing protection devices among iron and steel factory workers exposed to high noise level. A modified, validated, structured questionnaire was used to collect information from 253 male workers randomly selecte...

Iron and steel factory workers in Tanzania are likely to develop noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL) due to exposure to high sound levels. Studies on hearing status in this population are lacking. The aims of this study were to determine prevalence of NIHL among iron and steel workers and compare hearing thresholds at different frequencies with a con...

Background: Machines, processes, and tasks in the iron and steel factories may produce noise levels that are harmful to hearing if not properly controlled. Studies documenting noise exposure levels and related determinants in sub-Saharan Africa, including Tanzania are lacking. The aim of this study was to document noise exposure and to identify de...

Introduction Noise induced hearing loss (NIHL) is apreventable disease. However, the global burden of NIHL is increasing; especially in developing countries. The prevalence of NIHL among metal industry workers in Sub Saharan countries including Tanzania is not well documented. Methods This study was conducted among male metal industry workers (Exp...

Introduction Machines and processes in the metal industry produce noise levels that are harmful to the human ear if not properly controlled. Empirical studies are lacking to document noise exposure which is one of the stepping stones towards development and enforcement of policies, and standards on noise control in developing countries, including T...