Assesment of Socio-economic Status of Quarry Workers and the Number of Years Spent in Quarry Sites by Quarry Workers in Abia and Ebonyi State, Nigeria

Background Quarrying activities which are economic gaining activity has its effects on human health if not properly managed. This cross sectional study was carried out from May 2022 to June 2023 using multi stage sampling technique to select quarry sites and workers in Abia and Ebonyi state with the aim of accessing the socioeconomic status of quarry workers and the number of years spent in the quarry sites by the quarry workers in Abia and Ebonyi State. Method Data was collected using self-structured questionnaires. Descript statistic of frequency, mean and percentage were used to analyze the data.Chi Square was used to ascertain the association between variables. Results The result shows that 5 (2.1%) and 10 (6.2%) of workers in Ebonyi and Abia states respectively have a weekly income of less than 3000, 140 (51.4%) and 112 (69.1%) have an income between 3000–5000, 87 (35.6%) in Ebonyi, 33 (20.4%) in Abia have a weekly income between 5000–8000. 12 (4.9%) of the respondents in Ebonyi have an income of above 8000 same as 7 (4.3%) in Abia. There was a statistical difference between the weekly incomes (p = 0.00153). Coming to their family size, 10 (4.1%) and 3 (1.9%) in Ebonyi and Abia states have a family size of one, 47 (19.3%) and 35 (21.6%) have a family size between two to four. 128 (52.4%) in Ebonyi and 102 (63.1%) of the workers have a family size of five to eight, while 59 (24.2%).and 10 (6.1%) in both States have a family size above eight respectively. This showed a no statistical difference of (p = 0.1349). In terms of the number of times they work in a week, 2 (0.8%) of the workers in Ebonyi worked just once a week, 3 (1.9%) in Abia. 8 (5.3%) and 4 (2.5%) in both states worked twice weekly, 14 (5.7%) and 11 (6.8%) come to work three times in a week and 220 (98.2%) and 144 (88.9%) work every day. This showed no statistical difference between workers in Ebonyi and Abia respectively (p > 0.05). On monthly medical expenditure, 93 (38.1%) and 45 (27.3%) spent above 4000 in Ebonyi and Abia states, 128 (52.5%) and 90 (55.6%) spent between 3000–4000 in both state. 8 (3.3%) and 17 (10.4%) spent between 1000–2000.While 15 (6.1%) and 10 (6.2%) spent less than 1000 in both states. On satisfaction based on earnings 145 (59.4%) and 92 (56.7%) of the workers in both states were not satisfied with their earnings while 78 (40.6%) and 70 (43.2%) were satisfied. A greater number of the population had primary education 102(41.8%) and 80 (49.8%) in both State respectively.,80(32.8%) and 42(25.8%) had secondary education. While 47(19.3%) and 27(16.7%) had no formal education in both state respectively. In terms of the number of hours/ years spent in quarry site it was found that a larger number of workers spent more hours / years in the quarry sites There was a statistical difference in the length of hours respondents stayed in the quarry (p = 0.001. This study also showed that the respiratory health problems are more among the workers who have spent more years in the quarry work. Conclusion In conclusion, the result of the study shows that quarrying activities have consequential economic and respiratory health effects on the worker More of the quarry workers in both states spend more money in buying drugs and also more of them have lower education which leads to low usage of PPE and occurrence of associated respiratory health outcomes. Based on the findings, there is need for health education for quarry workers/owners and also need to enforce the use of personal protective equipment among quarry workers.