[ Bruit et surdité professionnelle dans une entreprise brassicole de la ville de Lubumbashi dans la province du Haut-Katanga en République Démocratique du Congo en 2024 ]
Kalumba Ilunga Cléophas1 and Lomami Osakanu Georges2
1 Médecine du Travail, Faculté de Médecine, Université de Lubumbashi, RD Congo
2 Médecine du Travail, Faculté de Médecine, Université de Lubumbashi, RD Congo
Original language: French
Copyright © 2025 ISSR Journals. This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
Introduction: Occupational risks are common among workers in various industries, including brewing companies. Employees in this sector are frequently exposed to high noise levels caused by machinery vibrations and operational activities. Prolonged exposure to such noise may result in significant hearing issues. This study aimed to assess the prevalence of hearing disorders among brewery workers and explore their association with various risk factors. Data was collected during routine health evaluations at an inter-company occupational health center. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted based on medical and audiometric records of brewery employees. A non-exhaustive sample of workers was selected. Clinical data were extracted from consultation forms, while audiometric information was gathered by analyzing workers' audiogram curves. Data entry was performed using Epi-Info version 7.2.2.6, and statistical analysis was conducted using IBM SPSS version 2.3. Results: The study involved 169 employees, mostly male (98.2%), with an average age of 51 years (±10.12) and an average length of service of 10 years (±6.88). Hearing loss greater than 20 dB in the worse ear was observed in 21.3% of participants. The minimum recorded hearing loss was 2.5 dB, the maximum 51.3 dB, and the mean loss was 20 dB. Audiometric analysis showed that: 30.2% of the audiograms were normal or near-normal; 34.9% had abnormal patterns suggesting noise exposure; 25.4% had abnormal curves not indicative of noise exposure; 9.5% had ambiguous patterns. No statistically significant associations were found between average hearing loss and most risk factors, except for age (Likelihood ratio = 15.014; df = 4; p = 0.005) and job seniority (Likelihood ratio = 9.164; df = 3; p = 0.027). Conclusion: The findings highlight a notable prevalence of hearing impairment among brewery workers, with age and seniority being significant associated factors. These results underscore the need for more targeted investigations and prompt implementation of preventive strategies to protect hearing health in this occupational setting.
Author Keywords: noise, deafness, professional, brewing company, DR Congo.
Kalumba Ilunga Cléophas1 and Lomami Osakanu Georges2
1 Médecine du Travail, Faculté de Médecine, Université de Lubumbashi, RD Congo
2 Médecine du Travail, Faculté de Médecine, Université de Lubumbashi, RD Congo
Original language: French
Copyright © 2025 ISSR Journals. This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
Abstract
Introduction: Occupational risks are common among workers in various industries, including brewing companies. Employees in this sector are frequently exposed to high noise levels caused by machinery vibrations and operational activities. Prolonged exposure to such noise may result in significant hearing issues. This study aimed to assess the prevalence of hearing disorders among brewery workers and explore their association with various risk factors. Data was collected during routine health evaluations at an inter-company occupational health center. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted based on medical and audiometric records of brewery employees. A non-exhaustive sample of workers was selected. Clinical data were extracted from consultation forms, while audiometric information was gathered by analyzing workers' audiogram curves. Data entry was performed using Epi-Info version 7.2.2.6, and statistical analysis was conducted using IBM SPSS version 2.3. Results: The study involved 169 employees, mostly male (98.2%), with an average age of 51 years (±10.12) and an average length of service of 10 years (±6.88). Hearing loss greater than 20 dB in the worse ear was observed in 21.3% of participants. The minimum recorded hearing loss was 2.5 dB, the maximum 51.3 dB, and the mean loss was 20 dB. Audiometric analysis showed that: 30.2% of the audiograms were normal or near-normal; 34.9% had abnormal patterns suggesting noise exposure; 25.4% had abnormal curves not indicative of noise exposure; 9.5% had ambiguous patterns. No statistically significant associations were found between average hearing loss and most risk factors, except for age (Likelihood ratio = 15.014; df = 4; p = 0.005) and job seniority (Likelihood ratio = 9.164; df = 3; p = 0.027). Conclusion: The findings highlight a notable prevalence of hearing impairment among brewery workers, with age and seniority being significant associated factors. These results underscore the need for more targeted investigations and prompt implementation of preventive strategies to protect hearing health in this occupational setting.
Author Keywords: noise, deafness, professional, brewing company, DR Congo.
Abstract: (french)
Introduction: Les travailleurs sont souvent exposés à divers risques professionnels, notamment dans les entreprises brassicoles. Ceux-ci subissent des niveaux sonores élevés, dus aux vibrations des machines et aux opérations courantes. Une exposition prolongée à ce bruit peut entraîner des troubles auditifs importants. Cette étude vise à évaluer la prévalence des troubles de l’audition chez les employés d’une entreprise brassicole et à analyser leur lien avec certains facteurs de risque. Les données ont été collectées lors d’examens médicaux périodiques dans un centre de santé au travail interentreprises. Matériel et méthodes : Il s’agit d’une étude descriptive transversale portant sur l’analyse des dossiers médicaux et audiométriques de travailleurs d’une entreprise brassicole. Un échantillon non exhaustif de salariés a été sélectionné. Les données cliniques ont été extraites des fiches de consultation, et les données audiométriques obtenues par l’analyse des courbes des audiogrammes. La saisie a été effectuée avec le logiciel Epi-Info version 7.2.2.6 et l’analyse statistique avec IBM-SPSS version 2.3. Résultats : L’étude a porté sur 169 employés, majoritairement des hommes (98,2 %), avec un âge moyen de 51 ans (±10,12) et une ancienneté moyenne de 10 ans (±6,88). Une perte auditive supérieure à 20 dB à la mauvaise oreille a été constatée chez 21,3 % des salariés. Les pertes variaient de 2,5 dB à 51,3 dB, avec une moyenne de 20 dB. L’analyse des audiogrammes a révélé : 30,2 % de courbes normales ou subnormales ; 34,9 % de courbes anormales évoquant une exposition au bruit ; 25,4 % de courbes anormales non évocatrices d’exposition au bruit ; 9,5 % de courbes à l’allure incertaine. Aucune association significative n’a été observée entre la perte auditive moyenne et la majorité des facteurs de risque, à l’exception de l’âge (Rapport de vraisemblance = 15,014 ; ddl = 4 ; p = 0,005) et de l’ancienneté (Rapport de vraisemblance = 9,164 ; ddl = 3 ; p = 0,027). Conclusion : Cette étude met en évidence une prévalence notable des troubles auditifs chez les travailleurs d’une entreprise brassicole, avec une association significative avec l’âge et l’ancienneté. Ces résultats soulignent la nécessité d’approfondir les analyses et de mettre en place rapidement des mesures de prévention adaptées pour protéger la santé auditive des salariés dans ce secteur.
Author Keywords: bruit, surdité, professionnelle, entreprise brassicole, RD Congo.
