Prevention of hearing loss among marble industrial worker: Outcome of educational intervention on awareness

Introduction: There is a high prevalence of hearing loss among marble and stone industry workers. Noise is the most pernicious industrial contaminant that affects every industry and results in significant hearing loss throughout the world. The objective of the study was to assess the effectiveness of self instructional module on knowledge regarding prevention of hearing loss among marble industrial worker in selected marble industries. Methods: A total of 120 marble industrial workers were selected by using a purposive sampling technique under a pre-experimental research design (one group pre-test and post-test). The research setting was selected marble industries at Udaipur Rajasthan. The instrument used for the study was a knowledge questionnaire. Results: The study revealed that the mean post-test knowledge score (23.59) was greater than the mean pre-test score (7.26). In addition, the mean difference between pre-test and post test score was 16.33. The paired t-test knowledge score is 36.24 is significant at a 0.05% level. This indicates that the educational intervention was effective in increasing the knowledge level regarding prevention of hearing loss among marble industry worker. Conclusion: There was an improvement in knowledge after educational intervention. Knowledge level was not associated with the demographic variables of the participants. The study suggests that periodical educational intervention is much needed for prevention of hearing loss among marble industry workers.