Kenya’s thriving construction industry is driving economic progress, but it is also the reason why many ‘mjengo’ workers will never be able to walk again.
Mjengo, which refers to labor in high-rise structures and infrastructure projects, is now the second leading cause of spinal cord injuries in Kenya, following road accidents.
This is according to a new study that looked at SCI in three countries between 2016 and 2020.A spinal cord injury is not curable, however, treatment can help prevent further injuries and irreparable damage.
Researchers from Nairobi’s African Population and Health Research Centre and Drexel University in the United States examined medical records of all SCI patients identified at Coast General Hospital, Kenyatta National Hospital, and Machakos Level 5 Hospital over a four-year period.
The numbers point to a rising issue. Falls from heights account for 42.25 percent of SCI cases, with many events taking place in Kenya’s fast-increasing construction industry.
Mjengo workers frequently work in dangerous environments without enough safety equipment or training.
“There is an urgent need for better safety regulations at workplaces,” the authors said.They claimed that many workers are seriously injured as a result of a lack of harnesses, insecure scaffolding, and inadequate safety oversight.
The Journal of Physiotherapy released their research, ‘Epidemiology of spinal cord injuries in three chosen counties in Kenya’, last week.They stated that vehicle crashes continue to be the leading cause of spinal cord injury in Kenya, accounting for 45% of cases.
Many of these accidents involve boda bodas, a popular yet hazardous means of transportation. Reckless driving, poor road conditions, and a lack of safety equipment all contribute to these injuries.
“Our findings emphasise the need for stricter traffic laws and enforcement,” the researchers noted. Violence is another major cause of SCI.
Violence is another leading cause of SCI. Gunshot wounds occur in 7% of cases, indicating a wider societal issue.
“The presence of such injuries points to a broader societal problem, namely, violence, which is increasingly recognised as a public health issue,” the researchers wrote.
They suggested that stronger law enforcement and community engagement could help reduce gun violence. Diseases also play a role, accounting for 4.23 percent of SCIs.
Certain infections and medical diseases weaken the spine, increasing the likelihood of injury.
The authors suggested that early diagnosis and treatment could help reduce such instances. In Kenya, sports-related spinal injuries account for only 1.41% of all cases. However, the report advises against ignoring them.
