“May we not orchestrate our own misfortune”: a qualitative study on perception about causes and prevention of occupational injuries among bricklayers and carpenters in Osun State, Nigeria
BackgroundOccupational injuries (OIs) remain a major public health concern in the construction industry, especially in developing countries where underreporting poses significant challenges. The belief systems of construction artisans may shape their perceptions of workplace hazards and safety pract...
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Frontiers Media S.A.
2025-06-01
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| Series: | Frontiers in Public Health |
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| Online Access: | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpubh.2025.1589458/full |
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| author | Temitope Olumuyiwa Ojo Temitope Olumuyiwa Ojo Nisha Naicker Nisha Naicker Funmilayo Juliana Afolabi Adedeji Ayodeji Onayade |
| author_facet | Temitope Olumuyiwa Ojo Temitope Olumuyiwa Ojo Nisha Naicker Nisha Naicker Funmilayo Juliana Afolabi Adedeji Ayodeji Onayade |
| author_sort | Temitope Olumuyiwa Ojo |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | BackgroundOccupational injuries (OIs) remain a major public health concern in the construction industry, especially in developing countries where underreporting poses significant challenges. The belief systems of construction artisans may shape their perceptions of workplace hazards and safety practices, yet these dynamics remain underexplored in Nigeria. Hence, this study explored the beliefs about causes and prevention of OIs among artisans in the informal sector of the construction industry in Osun State, Nigeria.MethodsTwelve focus group discussions (FGDs) were conducted in Osun State, Nigeria, with six FGDs each held with bricklayers and carpenters. Each FGD comprised five to seven participants. A semi-structured FGD guide was employed to moderate the discussions. Each session was facilitated by a moderator and a note-taker. Verbatim transcription was done for FGD audios, the transcripts were coded and thematically analysed using the ATLAS.ti software. Relevant direct quotations illustrating the themes and subthemes were cited accordingly.ResultsSeventy artisans participated in the FGDs and all participants were male. The findings identified a range of beliefs about injury causation, with a strong emphasis on spiritual beliefs. These included notions of predestination by God and enchantment. However, a less common belief suggested that adherence to safety precautions could prevent injuries. Also, some participants expressed a nuanced combination of these perspectives. Perceptions of injury prevention were reflected in various subthemes, including the importance of prayers, avoiding conflicts, or taking jobs from others, maintaining safe housekeeping practices, government provision or subsidization of personal protective equipment (PPE) and its correct usage, provision of safety training and effective supervision.ConclusionWorkplace injuries among artisans were attributed to spiritual factors, limited access to safety equipment, and inadequate compliance with safety measures. Addressing these challenges requires culturally sensitive interventions, considering the perceptions of the artisans, alongside providing subsidized PPE, durable tools, targeted training, and effective supervision to foster a safer working environment and minimize injury risks. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-e0552f122c7c433b803cc594c4a32720 |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2296-2565 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-06-01 |
| publisher | Frontiers Media S.A. |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Frontiers in Public Health |
| spelling | doaj-art-e0552f122c7c433b803cc594c4a327202025-08-20T04:00:44ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Public Health2296-25652025-06-011310.3389/fpubh.2025.15894581589458“May we not orchestrate our own misfortune”: a qualitative study on perception about causes and prevention of occupational injuries among bricklayers and carpenters in Osun State, NigeriaTemitope Olumuyiwa Ojo0Temitope Olumuyiwa Ojo1Nisha Naicker2Nisha Naicker3Funmilayo Juliana Afolabi4Adedeji Ayodeji Onayade5Department of Community Health, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, NigeriaDivision of Occupational Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, School of Public Health, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South AfricaDivision of Occupational Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, School of Public Health, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South AfricaDepartment of Epidemiology and Surveillance, National Institute for Occupational Health, National Health Laboratory Services, Johannesburg, South AfricaInstitute for Entrepreneurship and Development Studies, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, NigeriaDepartment of Community Health, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, NigeriaBackgroundOccupational injuries (OIs) remain a major public health concern in the construction industry, especially in developing countries where underreporting poses significant challenges. The belief systems of construction artisans may shape their perceptions of workplace hazards and safety practices, yet these dynamics remain underexplored in Nigeria. Hence, this study explored the beliefs about causes and prevention of OIs among artisans in the informal sector of the construction industry in Osun State, Nigeria.MethodsTwelve focus group discussions (FGDs) were conducted in Osun State, Nigeria, with six FGDs each held with bricklayers and carpenters. Each FGD comprised five to seven participants. A semi-structured FGD guide was employed to moderate the discussions. Each session was facilitated by a moderator and a note-taker. Verbatim transcription was done for FGD audios, the transcripts were coded and thematically analysed using the ATLAS.ti software. Relevant direct quotations illustrating the themes and subthemes were cited accordingly.ResultsSeventy artisans participated in the FGDs and all participants were male. The findings identified a range of beliefs about injury causation, with a strong emphasis on spiritual beliefs. These included notions of predestination by God and enchantment. However, a less common belief suggested that adherence to safety precautions could prevent injuries. Also, some participants expressed a nuanced combination of these perspectives. Perceptions of injury prevention were reflected in various subthemes, including the importance of prayers, avoiding conflicts, or taking jobs from others, maintaining safe housekeeping practices, government provision or subsidization of personal protective equipment (PPE) and its correct usage, provision of safety training and effective supervision.ConclusionWorkplace injuries among artisans were attributed to spiritual factors, limited access to safety equipment, and inadequate compliance with safety measures. Addressing these challenges requires culturally sensitive interventions, considering the perceptions of the artisans, alongside providing subsidized PPE, durable tools, targeted training, and effective supervision to foster a safer working environment and minimize injury risks.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpubh.2025.1589458/fulloccupational injuriesbuilding constructionartisansbeliefsperceptionsinjury prevention |
| spellingShingle | Temitope Olumuyiwa Ojo Temitope Olumuyiwa Ojo Nisha Naicker Nisha Naicker Funmilayo Juliana Afolabi Adedeji Ayodeji Onayade “May we not orchestrate our own misfortune”: a qualitative study on perception about causes and prevention of occupational injuries among bricklayers and carpenters in Osun State, Nigeria Frontiers in Public Health occupational injuries building construction artisans beliefs perceptions injury prevention |
| title | “May we not orchestrate our own misfortune”: a qualitative study on perception about causes and prevention of occupational injuries among bricklayers and carpenters in Osun State, Nigeria |
| title_full | “May we not orchestrate our own misfortune”: a qualitative study on perception about causes and prevention of occupational injuries among bricklayers and carpenters in Osun State, Nigeria |
| title_fullStr | “May we not orchestrate our own misfortune”: a qualitative study on perception about causes and prevention of occupational injuries among bricklayers and carpenters in Osun State, Nigeria |
| title_full_unstemmed | “May we not orchestrate our own misfortune”: a qualitative study on perception about causes and prevention of occupational injuries among bricklayers and carpenters in Osun State, Nigeria |
| title_short | “May we not orchestrate our own misfortune”: a qualitative study on perception about causes and prevention of occupational injuries among bricklayers and carpenters in Osun State, Nigeria |
| title_sort | may we not orchestrate our own misfortune a qualitative study on perception about causes and prevention of occupational injuries among bricklayers and carpenters in osun state nigeria |
| topic | occupational injuries building construction artisans beliefs perceptions injury prevention |
| url | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpubh.2025.1589458/full |
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