Factors Contributing to Occupational Injuries and Ill Health among Healthcare Workers in Selected Hospitals in Nairobi City County

Abstract

Non-fatal occupational injuries and illnesses among healthcare workers are ranked among the highest in any industry sector. In the context of the highly complex and hazardous work environment, particular challenges arise in pursuing protections for healthcare workers in this unique employment sector. Biases within the healthcare industry and the safety and health community itself collude to limit both the awareness of hazards that do exist and the successful application of classical approaches used to assure safe jobs. The objective of this study was to investigate factors influencing occupational injuries and hazards among healthcare workers in selected hospitals in Nairobi County. Descriptive cross-sectional study design was used. The study was done at Kenyatta National Hospital, Mama Lucy, and Pumwani Maternity Hospitals. Approval was sought from KNH/UON ERC and permission from the respective hospitals was sought. A structured questionnaire was used to collect information on the proportion of healthcare workers with occupational injuries, hazards awareness among the healthcare workers, and the individual level factors influencing occupational injuries. An observational checklist was used by the researcher to assess hospital-level factors. A sample size of 304 was recruited for the study using stratified sample technique. Data was analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Studies (SPSS) version 25. Univariate and multivariate analysis was carried out to assess the association of study variables. Findings are presented in tables, graphs and written narratives. Information on the factors contributing to occupational injuries among health workers is the probable outcome of the study. Results showed that there was a statistically significant association at 0.05 level of significance between awareness of occupational health hazards and age, cadre and work experience respectively (p<.05). Almost a third of the respondents knew three types of hazards namely: physical hazards (32.9%, n=100) , chemical (28%, n=85) and biological hazards (17.1%, n=52). The study found 32.6% had been trained on OSH annually. KNH had a higher number 45.5%. With 54% trained in the past 3 years, 29.3% in 4 to 6 years and 16.2% 6 years ago. Respondents who were not trained on occupational health hazards were 1.89 times more likely to experience work-related injury/illness/trauma than those who were trained,2 = 5.6, p = .018, OR = 1.89 (95% CI .Similarly, the respondents who were trained on occupational health hazards more than 3 years ago were 0.09 times more likely to experience work-related injury/illness/trauma than those who were trained less than three years ago , 2 = 11.703, p = .001, OR = .091 (95% CI: .021, .394). 71.4% had received BCG vaccine, 67.1% Hepatitis B vaccine and 19.1% Hepatitis A vaccine. The study reports that occupational injuries and hazards were associated significantly with pressure at work place, workload, poor working environment, lack of supplies and experience of work-related injury/illness/trauma. The study recommends that relevant stakeholders should focus on creating awareness of occupational health hazards at the hospitals, develop the best strategies in minimizing injuries which will in turn help in reducing such occupational-related injuries, illness and fatalities among healthcare workers.