TITLE:
Examination of Common Occupational Hazards among Healthcare Workers in a University Healthcare Center in Southeastern Nigeria
AUTHORS:
David Chinaecherem Innocent, Chiagoziem Ogazirilem Emerole, Cosmas Nnadozie Ezejindu, Ugonma Winnie Dozie, Sophia Ifechidere Obani, Anthony Chinonso Uwandu-Uzoma, Chidozie Joachim Nwaokoro, Mary Ulumma Udeh, Stanley Chinedu Eneh, Angelica Chinecherem Uwaezuoke, Keside Marizu Iwuji, Samson Adiaetok Udoewah, Promise Nwanyinma Uzowuihe, Vivian Chidimma Maduekwe
KEYWORDS:
Hazards, Occupational Hazards, Health Workers, Knowledge, Safety, Risk
JOURNAL NAME:
Health,
Vol.14 No.8,
August
3,
2022
ABSTRACT: Background: Healthcare workers are challenged by an imposing group of occupational hazards. These hazards include exposure to biological and non-biological hazards like ionizing radiation, stress, injury, infectious agents, and chemicals. The aim of this study was to assess common occupational hazards among health workers at the Department of Health Services (DHS), Federal University of Technology, Owerri. Methods: A hospital-based cross-sectional study design was employed for the study, and a self-administered questionnaire was used for data collection. The SPSS Version 22.0 software was used for the analysis of the descriptive statistics obtained from the study. This study included both clinical and non-clinical health workers. A purposive sampling technique was used in recruiting a total of 94 respondents who participated in the study from September 2020 to April 2021. Results: A total of 94 respondents who participated in the study and among the participants, 33.3% (31) of the respondents were aged 31 - 40 years, and the majority of the health workers, 43.6% (41) had stayed between 1 - 5 years. Also, 92.6% (87) of the health workers have heard of occupational hazards. The study showed that 84.0% (79) of health workers had good knowledge of common occupational hazards. Biological hazards among health workers are 47.9% (45) cuts and wounds, 29.8% (28) direct contact with contaminated specimens/hazardous materials, and 26.6% (26) sharp related injuries, while for non-biological hazards, 44.7% (42) have slipped, tripped or fallen, and 35.1% (33) have been stressed. Common safety measures include 86.2% (81) washing their hands regularly; 78.7% (74) using hand gloves; and 85.1% (80) agreeing they use face masks. Conclusion: Despite good knowledge of occupational hazards, participants at DHS were faced with certain hazards. It is recommended that the university, government, and policymakers revise and implement actions to provide health workers at DHS with equipment to encourage safety in work activity.