Factors associated with the prevalence of sick building syndrome among sewing operators in the garment manufacturing industryin Ethiopia

Purpose Due to cost advantages, the garment manufacturing industry usually migrates to developing countries, where occupational safety and health of workers are given less emphasis. The purpose of this study was to assess workplace environmental conditions and related health problems and draw implications for the improvement of the sewing workplace environment. Design/methodology/approach This study was based on a cross-sectional survey of 407 seated industrial sewing operators. Environmental factors (light, temperature, sound, relative humidity and dust) were assessed at seven companies using a standard questionnaire, observation checklist and equipment. Sick building syndrome (SBS) symptoms observed in the last 12 months were assessed through an indoor air questionnaire. Associations were tested by univariate and multivariate ordinal logistic regression models. Findings Light, temperature and dust levels were not within the acceptable limits set by different standards. Sneezing attacks (73.3%), headaches (71.3%), stuffy nose (64.4%), feeling heavy-headed (64.1%) and runny nose (60.7%) were the top five SBS symptoms. Age, history of systemic illness, payment method, working hours, air quality and dust levels were dominantly associated with most SBS symptoms. As most of the SBS symptoms were associated with environmental and job-related factors, an ergonomic intervention is needed to improve the working environment. Originality/value This study considered a comprehensive investigation of environmental conditions in the sewing section of the garment industry in Ethiopia, which is rarely researched. Moreover, the associations of several factors, including demographic, job-related and environmental factors, with the frequency of SBS symptoms were examined, which adds to the causal analysis of SBS risks in manufacturing buildings.