Occupational Health Hazard among Health Care Workers in a Tertiary Care Hospital, Lahore

Abstract

Background: Occupational health is a neglected public health issue among healthcare workers in developing countries and they may expose them to various forms of hazards.

Objectives: The study aims at exploring the forms of occupational health hazards among nurses in a tertiary care hospital, Lahore

Methods: Total 151 staff nurses were enrolled for cross-sectional descriptive study to explore the occupational health hazard.  This study was conducted at Lahore General Hospital, Lahore for the duration of 02, 2021, to January 01, 2022. Only charge nurses working in medical and surgical units on permanent basis having experience more than six months were included.

Results: The findings of this study showed that the mean age of the nurse was 25.87 ± 3.138 years (age range 21-32 year), the female nurse was  127(84.1%)while 24(15.9%) were male nurse. The participants faced occupational health hazards 51.8%, biological hazards73.5%, and physical hazards 59.2% and mechanical and psychology Hazards among Nurse 48.8% and 52.0% respectively.

Conclusion:Occupational risks (biological hazards) are very common among the nurses in Lahore General Hospital, Lahore. To protect patients and medical staff, hospitals should implement preventative, infection control, and patient safety initiatives.

Keywords: Occupational hazards;  Health workers;  Lahore General Hospital

DOI: 10.7176/JHMN/104-05

Publication date: November 30^th 2022