AUTHOR=Daba Chala , Gebrehiwot Mesfin , Asefa Lechisa , Lemma Hailu , Atamo Amanuel , Kebede Edosa , Embrandiri Asha , Debela Sisay Abebe 

TITLE=Occupational safety of janitors in Ethiopian University during COVID-19 pandemic: Results from observational study

JOURNAL=Frontiers in Public Health

VOLUME=Volume 10 - 2022

YEAR=2022

URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/public-health/articles/10.3389/fpubh.2022.895977

DOI=10.3389/fpubh.2022.895977

ISSN=2296-2565

ABSTRACT=Introduction: Janitors are at high risk of COVID-19 infection as they are amongst the frontline workers in the prevention and control of COVID-19. Poor occupational safety practices could contribute to the loss of lives of janitors and the general public. However, there are no detailed investigations on the occupational safety practices of janitors involved in different settings, such as Universities where there are crowds of people. In addition, although observation is recognized as a better tool to investigate occupational safety practices, previous studies mainly employed self-administered questionnaire and/or face-to-face interview as data collection mechanisms. Therefore, this study aimed to assess the occupational safety practices to prevent COVID-19 transmission and associated factors among Ethiopian University janitors using an observation tool and self-administered questionnaire. 
Methods: An institutional based cross-sectional study was employed among 410 janitors of Bule Hora University (Ethiopia) from November to December, 2021. A multivariable logistic regression model was used to identify the independent factors associated with occupational safety practices.
Results: Occupational safety practice towards COVID-19 was good only among 53.9% of the janitors. Training on COVID-19 prevention measures (AOR= 2.62; 95% CI: 1.57-4.37), availability of policy and protocol in the work place (AOR= 5.46; 95% CI: 3.57-8.36), and availability of soap/bleach (AOR= 2.71; 95%CI: 1.64-4.46) were found to significantly increase the likelihood of occupational safety of janitors.
Conclusions: A significant proportion of janitors had poor occupational safety practice. Therefore, an adequate supply of PPE, and regular training and awareness creation on COVID-19 should be strengthened. Close follow-up and regular supervision of safety procedures should also be used as controlling strategies.