Health workers' adherence to occupational hazards preventive practices in Thi‑Qar Governorate, Iraq

Abstract

Background: Workplace problems that are likely to increase the risk to our health are referred to as occupational hazards. These problems can be classified as either biological or non-biological. A wide range of these risks, including physical, chemical, and psychological ones, provide challenges for healthcare practitioners. Such risks therefore negatively affect employees, their families, friends, and the country. Objectives: The purpose of the study is to assess the level of adherence to preventive practices towards occupational hazards in the hospitals of Thi-Qar Governorate and its relationship to the demographic and occupational information of the healthcare workers. Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was carried out in hospitals Thi-Qar Governorate, During the period from September 5th, 2022 ending on February 10th, 2023, 355 of healthcare workers individuals participated in the study, and the data was collected using self-reported questionnaires and information about practices was collected through a systematic questionnaire developed by the researcher. Results: Regarding the preventive practice of the staff, the results observed that all responses regarding the present results reveal the highest percentage 41.7% of HCWs have a poor practices score, while the lowest percentage 20.8% of them have a moderate practices score. The mean ± SD of the overall practices score was (53.81±17.807) which rested within a moderate level (48-46 score). The results of this study indicate that there is a significant association between the overall practices score and socio-demographic variables (P. value <0.05),). This explained that the participants who age ≤ 25 years, Education level (Ph.D.), and have no chronic diseases, had higher good practices than other categories. Also, the results of this study indicate that there is a significant association between the overall practices score and occupation characteristics (P. value <0.05), This explained that the years of work (≥15 years), and, hours of work (≤5 hrs), had higher good practices than other categories. Conclusion: Most of the employees of the hospitals selected for the sample in Thi-Qar Governorate have “Moderate” commitments to safety measures with regard to occupational hazards in their surrounding workplaces, The study showed that years of experience, time of work and educational level have a significant impact on practices towards occupational hazards in hospitals.