KNOWLEDGE, ATTITUDE AND PRACTICE OF WORKERS IN SMALL MECHANICAL METAL INDUSTRIES TOWARDS OCULAR TRAUMA: A QUESTIONNAIRE BASED STUDY

Aim: To assess knowledge, attitude, and practices regarding ocular safety among mechanical workers in unorganized sector of southern Assam and to promote safer working conditions through improved awareness, use of protective equipment, and utilization of health schemes. To collect sociodemographic data of unorganized secto Objectives 1. r mechanical workers in southern Assam. 2. To evaluate the working condition of the study population. 3. To classify types of workplace ocular trauma. 4. To assess awareness and usage of personal protective equipment. 5. To examine their access to health insurance and injury-related benefits. The study aimed to identify gaps in safety practices and promote improved occupational health through awareness and policy recommendations. This was a Materials And Method prospective, observational, descriptive, cross-sectional study conducted over six months from January to July 2024 at the Ophthalmology Outpatient Department of Silchar Medical College and Hospital. The study included 568 male participants above 18 years of age, all employed in small mechanical industries in the unorganized sector. Participants were selected using purposive sampling. Informed consent was obtained from all subjects. A structured questionnaire was used to collect data on sociodemographic details, working conditions, ocular trauma history, awareness and use of personal protective equipment, and access to health insurance. Severely ill and non-consenting individuals were excluded. Data were analyzed and presented graphically. Out of 568 male participants, 95.77% report Results ed a history of ocular trauma, mostly due to foreign body entry. Most worked over 8 hours daily, often without overtime pay, violating labor laws. Awareness and usage of protective equipment were low, with many citing discomfort or unavailability. While some availed Ayushman Bharat, overall health insurance coverage remained limited.