Factors Affecting Occupational Safety and Health Performance in Public Dispensaries and Health Centres in Machakos County, Kenya

Abstract

The Kenya Occupational Safety and Health Act (GOK-OSHA) mandates employers to ensure and maintain the highest standards of occupational safety and health (OSH) in their workplaces. However, occupational incidents persist in public health facilities. This research aimed to assess adequacy of various elements of work environments; OSH awareness within the health workforce and Management; Management commitment; and workers’ participation in OSH practices in public dispensaries and health centres within Machakos County. Stratified and random sampling methods were adopted to determine the health facilities and health workers to be included in the study. The study was a cross-sectional survey conducted in January and February, 2018 and involved 21 health facilities, 42 members of the Health Management, and 107 health workers in Machakos County. Linear dimensions and angles were measured, areas and air volumes computed, data collected from respondents, and observations made in the workplaces. Regression coefficients showed strong positive relationships between each of the independent variables and OSH performance. The prediction factors were 0.6810, p<0.05 for management commitment; 0.6680, p<0.05 for OSH awareness; and 0.6600, p<0.05 for workers’ participation. The null hypothesis was rejected in the t-test. The study concluded that lack of adequate OSH elements of work environment, OSH awareness among health workers and Management, Management commitment, and workers’ participation affected OSH performance in public health facilities. The Health Management and workers should be trained specifically in OSH, and exercise their mandates to improve OSH performance in the dispensaries and health centres