Funmilayo Afolabi | Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife (original) (raw)

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Papers by Funmilayo Afolabi

Journal of religion and health, Feb 21, 2024

International Journal of Entrepreneurship and Small Business

The Qualitative Report, 2021

This article presents the challenges a social scientist can encounter in studying workers in an i... more This article presents the challenges a social scientist can encounter in studying workers in an informal sector. It is written from a doctoral researcher's perspective and draws on her fieldwork experience among informal automobile artisans in Osun State, Nigeria. The paper intends to share insights into navigating the challenges in conducting social inquiry among workers in the informal sector for fruitful outcomes. Particular attention is paid to some of the more common challenges researchers may encounter when conducting research in the informal sector. These challenges include project entry, participant recruitment, and retention. This article concludes with suggestions which researchers can use to study informal workers, especially in developing countries.

Dutch Crossing: Journal of Low Countries Studies, 2016

SAGE Open

Informal workers in developing countries are exposed to various occupational hazards that may cau... more Informal workers in developing countries are exposed to various occupational hazards that may cause accidents, injuries, or diseases. Personal protective equipment (PPE) can be an essential tool for preventing workers from exposure to these hazards. Despite the widely acknowledged benefits of PPE usage, many informal automobile artisans in Nigeria do not use PPE. This study examines factors that predict PPE usage among these artisans, particularly their occupational risk perception. This cross-sectional study adopted a multistage method to select 632 automobile artisans (mechanics, panel beaters, painters, and vulcanizers) in Osun State, Nigeria. A questionnaire was used to obtain information on the dependent variable (the use of PPE) and the independent variables (occupational risk perception and risk tolerance). STATA 14 was used for the multivariate logistic regression analysis. Workers who perceive themselves at high risk of occupational health problems are more likely to use PP...

Over half of the labour force in developing countries is employed in the small scale enterprises ... more Over half of the labour force in developing countries is employed in the small scale enterprises in the informal sector of the economy. In these enterprises, health and safety hazards are high, but existing occupational health and safety (OHS) policies and services are poorly implemented. This puts many business owners in developing countries at undue risk of fatal or non-fatal work-related health problems and associated medical costs and economic hardship. This paper examines the OHS challenges of entrepreneurs in the informal sector. The objective is to identify the OHS challenges and the stakeholders that could bring improvement. The paper reviews existing published and grey literatures gathered through desk search of electronic databases. All studies providing outcome data on OHS among informal workers were assessed for the rigor of each study. It identifies various challenges to OHS such as ignorance of occupational hazards; lack of OHS regulation in informal sector; ignorance of OHS issues and National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) coverage to informal sector. Suggestions made to overcome these challenges include commitment on the part of government, harnessing the activities of various stakeholders that were identified in controlling occupational hazards, and functional trade union that will provide OHS support to members. The study concludes by suggesting more empirical research on the subject matter.

Ageing International, 2014

ABSTRACT

Social Science & Medicine

Even though informal workers in developing countries have the most hazardous jobs, there is a she... more Even though informal workers in developing countries have the most hazardous jobs, there is a sheer neglect for the treatment of their occupational health problems (OHP) in practice and by policies. This qualitative study explored how informal automobile artisans from Nigeria sought care for their OHP. It focused on their choice between orthodox and traditional medicine, between self-care and professional care, and between private and public health-care providers. 43 informal automobile artisans were purposively interviewed. The treatment sought depended on the type, the severity, and the perceived cause of the OHP. The distinction between rational and non-rational explanations of the causes of OHP usually determined the treatment endpoint. The financial means of the artisans and the cost of different treatments were also important factors. The study concluded that in order to develop safer working conditions in the sector, policy makers and artisanal associations should be aware of the considerations that informed the artisans' choices on how to treat OHP .

Diasporas and Transnational Entrepreneurship in Global Contexts, 2000

Safety Science, 2021

It is well-known that informal workers in developing countries run a high risk of Occupational Sa... more It is well-known that informal workers in developing countries run a high risk of Occupational Safety and Health Problems (OSH problems). However, little is known about their perception of the preventability of these problems. This study explores how informal automobile artisans in Nigeria perceive the preventability of OSH problems and possible barriers to prevention. 43 artisans were purposively interviewed. Only one-third of the participants perceived OSH problems as preventable, while a majority perceived OSH problems as not preventable. Their perception of the causes of OSH problems and cost considerations strongly influenced their perceptions of the preventability of OSH problems. The major perceived barrier to prevention is economic insecurity and, as a consequence, non-availability of modern equipment. The study concluded that availability of accessible loans and regular training of the artisans may be helpful in preventing and reducing OSH problems in the informal sector.

Work

BACKGROUND: Automobile car repair requires intensive activities. Several studies have described d... more BACKGROUND: Automobile car repair requires intensive activities. Several studies have described different work characteristics of automobile artisans’ work. However, the effects of physical work conditions (PWC) on worker health outcomes are largely unknown. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to explore which of the PWC have high negative impact on worker’s health outcomes, and whether the same conditions affected both illnesses and injuries. METHODS: A cross-sectional design and a multistage method were used to randomly select 632 workers. A structured self-reported questionnaire was used to obtain information on dependent variables (illness/injuries) and independent variables (PWC). The results were analysed using the chi-square test and logistic regression analysis, while controlling for occupation. RESULTS: Workers who manually lifted heavy items or orally sucked petrol regularly reported illnesses and injuries. Long work experience and long working hours were significantly associated ...

Diasporas and Transnational Entrepreneurship in Global Contexts, 2000

Diasporas and Transnational Entrepreneurship in Global Contexts, 2000

This exploratory paper focuses on the well-being of diaspora returnees seeking entrepreneurial op... more This exploratory paper focuses on the well-being of diaspora returnees seeking entrepreneurial opportunities in Nigeria, with an emphasis on health, safety and development. The paper is based, in part, on a review of literature on diaspora migrants' returnees' well-being. However, in the absence of large scale quantitative research, the report presents partial and anecdotal evidence on the well-being of specific groups of migrants in Nigeria that may not readily be generalized to the whole livelihood-seeking, crossborder migrant population in the SSA region. The paper concludes that returnee entrepreneurs should prepare to contribute meaningfully to controlling occupational health and safety in informal sector of Nigerian economy.

Journal of religion and health, Feb 21, 2024

International Journal of Entrepreneurship and Small Business

The Qualitative Report, 2021

This article presents the challenges a social scientist can encounter in studying workers in an i... more This article presents the challenges a social scientist can encounter in studying workers in an informal sector. It is written from a doctoral researcher's perspective and draws on her fieldwork experience among informal automobile artisans in Osun State, Nigeria. The paper intends to share insights into navigating the challenges in conducting social inquiry among workers in the informal sector for fruitful outcomes. Particular attention is paid to some of the more common challenges researchers may encounter when conducting research in the informal sector. These challenges include project entry, participant recruitment, and retention. This article concludes with suggestions which researchers can use to study informal workers, especially in developing countries.

Dutch Crossing: Journal of Low Countries Studies, 2016

SAGE Open

Informal workers in developing countries are exposed to various occupational hazards that may cau... more Informal workers in developing countries are exposed to various occupational hazards that may cause accidents, injuries, or diseases. Personal protective equipment (PPE) can be an essential tool for preventing workers from exposure to these hazards. Despite the widely acknowledged benefits of PPE usage, many informal automobile artisans in Nigeria do not use PPE. This study examines factors that predict PPE usage among these artisans, particularly their occupational risk perception. This cross-sectional study adopted a multistage method to select 632 automobile artisans (mechanics, panel beaters, painters, and vulcanizers) in Osun State, Nigeria. A questionnaire was used to obtain information on the dependent variable (the use of PPE) and the independent variables (occupational risk perception and risk tolerance). STATA 14 was used for the multivariate logistic regression analysis. Workers who perceive themselves at high risk of occupational health problems are more likely to use PP...

Over half of the labour force in developing countries is employed in the small scale enterprises ... more Over half of the labour force in developing countries is employed in the small scale enterprises in the informal sector of the economy. In these enterprises, health and safety hazards are high, but existing occupational health and safety (OHS) policies and services are poorly implemented. This puts many business owners in developing countries at undue risk of fatal or non-fatal work-related health problems and associated medical costs and economic hardship. This paper examines the OHS challenges of entrepreneurs in the informal sector. The objective is to identify the OHS challenges and the stakeholders that could bring improvement. The paper reviews existing published and grey literatures gathered through desk search of electronic databases. All studies providing outcome data on OHS among informal workers were assessed for the rigor of each study. It identifies various challenges to OHS such as ignorance of occupational hazards; lack of OHS regulation in informal sector; ignorance of OHS issues and National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) coverage to informal sector. Suggestions made to overcome these challenges include commitment on the part of government, harnessing the activities of various stakeholders that were identified in controlling occupational hazards, and functional trade union that will provide OHS support to members. The study concludes by suggesting more empirical research on the subject matter.

Ageing International, 2014

ABSTRACT

Social Science & Medicine

Even though informal workers in developing countries have the most hazardous jobs, there is a she... more Even though informal workers in developing countries have the most hazardous jobs, there is a sheer neglect for the treatment of their occupational health problems (OHP) in practice and by policies. This qualitative study explored how informal automobile artisans from Nigeria sought care for their OHP. It focused on their choice between orthodox and traditional medicine, between self-care and professional care, and between private and public health-care providers. 43 informal automobile artisans were purposively interviewed. The treatment sought depended on the type, the severity, and the perceived cause of the OHP. The distinction between rational and non-rational explanations of the causes of OHP usually determined the treatment endpoint. The financial means of the artisans and the cost of different treatments were also important factors. The study concluded that in order to develop safer working conditions in the sector, policy makers and artisanal associations should be aware of the considerations that informed the artisans' choices on how to treat OHP .

Diasporas and Transnational Entrepreneurship in Global Contexts, 2000

Safety Science, 2021

It is well-known that informal workers in developing countries run a high risk of Occupational Sa... more It is well-known that informal workers in developing countries run a high risk of Occupational Safety and Health Problems (OSH problems). However, little is known about their perception of the preventability of these problems. This study explores how informal automobile artisans in Nigeria perceive the preventability of OSH problems and possible barriers to prevention. 43 artisans were purposively interviewed. Only one-third of the participants perceived OSH problems as preventable, while a majority perceived OSH problems as not preventable. Their perception of the causes of OSH problems and cost considerations strongly influenced their perceptions of the preventability of OSH problems. The major perceived barrier to prevention is economic insecurity and, as a consequence, non-availability of modern equipment. The study concluded that availability of accessible loans and regular training of the artisans may be helpful in preventing and reducing OSH problems in the informal sector.

Work

BACKGROUND: Automobile car repair requires intensive activities. Several studies have described d... more BACKGROUND: Automobile car repair requires intensive activities. Several studies have described different work characteristics of automobile artisans’ work. However, the effects of physical work conditions (PWC) on worker health outcomes are largely unknown. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to explore which of the PWC have high negative impact on worker’s health outcomes, and whether the same conditions affected both illnesses and injuries. METHODS: A cross-sectional design and a multistage method were used to randomly select 632 workers. A structured self-reported questionnaire was used to obtain information on dependent variables (illness/injuries) and independent variables (PWC). The results were analysed using the chi-square test and logistic regression analysis, while controlling for occupation. RESULTS: Workers who manually lifted heavy items or orally sucked petrol regularly reported illnesses and injuries. Long work experience and long working hours were significantly associated ...

Diasporas and Transnational Entrepreneurship in Global Contexts, 2000

Diasporas and Transnational Entrepreneurship in Global Contexts, 2000

This exploratory paper focuses on the well-being of diaspora returnees seeking entrepreneurial op... more This exploratory paper focuses on the well-being of diaspora returnees seeking entrepreneurial opportunities in Nigeria, with an emphasis on health, safety and development. The paper is based, in part, on a review of literature on diaspora migrants' returnees' well-being. However, in the absence of large scale quantitative research, the report presents partial and anecdotal evidence on the well-being of specific groups of migrants in Nigeria that may not readily be generalized to the whole livelihood-seeking, crossborder migrant population in the SSA region. The paper concludes that returnee entrepreneurs should prepare to contribute meaningfully to controlling occupational health and safety in informal sector of Nigerian economy.