الفهرس 
Abstract
Sugar production in EgyptOnly 14 pages are availabe for public view
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Abstract
Sugarcane agriculture in Egypt is greatly focused nearby the sugar factories in Upper Egypt. These focuses constitute 77% of the cane area in the country. Sugarcane workers have a high level of occupational accidents. Bagassosis is also a problem specific to the industry as it may follow exposure to bagasse (a by-product of sugarcane). Noise in the factory could lead occupational hearing loss while extreme temperatures from boilers and evaporators are likely serious burns and high levels of dehydration. Other hazards include electric shocks, falls from tall buildings, burns from steam used to drive turbines and gases from the lagoons which can cause skin diseases (Hamza, 2017; Omar, 2019 & Abdelwahab et al., 2019b).
The present study aimed to assess sugarcane workers’ knowledge regarding occupational health hazards, determine the occupational health hazards and assess their reported practice regarding to using personal protective equipment. Descriptive- cross sectional research design was used in this study. The study was carried out at sugarcane factory in Armant, Luxor Governorate. The total number of the studied sample was 541 workers; the worker was selected randomly by using simple random sample.
Tools which used for this study was included five parts: Part 1: Demographic data. Part 2: Past and present medical history Part 3: Occupational health hazards and problems of sugarcane workers and assessment of occupational environment at sugarcane factory. Part 4: Knowledge of sugarcane workers regarding occupational health hazards and problems. Part 5: Reported practice regarding to using personal protective equipment and measures taken during exposure to occupational hazards and problems
The Main results obtained are as followed:
60.6% of workers aged ≥ 45 years with mean ± SD 45.74 ± 8.44 years, 62.1% of them had secondary education. Regarding to years of working experience, 76.7% of them had >10 years of experience. Concerning to job/ working section categories, 27.5% of them were in maintenance department.
Occupational hazards at sugarcane factory were, 56.7% of workers had chemical hazards (gases), and 63.2% of them had psychological hazards (nervousness). While 37.7% of them had viruses as biological hazards.
Reported practices regarding management of occupational hazards %66.5 and 53.2% of workers went to the factory doctor when respiratory problems and machine injuries occurred respectively.
Knowledge level about occupational hazards at sugarcane factory was, 71.2% of workers had poor knowledge.
There is statistically significant relationship between level of knowledge and their educational level (P value = 0.037).
There is statistically significant relationship between level of knowledge, use of mask, rubber shoes and muzzle (P value = 0.015, 0.011 & 0.045) respectively.
Based on the results of this study it recommended that:-
Training and health education programs should be provided for workers to increase their knowledge and practice regarding occupational health hazards in sugarcane factory.
Periodical checkup of health status for workers regarding occupational health hazards in sugarcane factory to screen their health status and primary case finding.
Workers must be trained not only in the proper use of the protective equipment, but also in the care and maintenance of that equipment, including any pre-fitting, testing, or inspection that may be required.