Study and assess the occupation hazards to health workers in the City Of Kut/ Wassit

Abstract

Background: Occupational hazards are a major medical, social, economic problem and a leading cause of morbidity and mortality for health workers. The aims of this study was to identify the types of occupational hazards and risks that health workers are exposed to in the study area. In addition, to measure risk level of occupation hazards. This is a cross sectional descriptive study was carried out among health workers in two hospitals located in Kut city in Wasit governorate. The period of the study extended from October 2019, until the end of March 2020. Data collected by using questionnaire form. The occupation hazards dimensions, which include four domains: physical hazards, chemical hazards, biological hazards, and psychological hazards. The statistical methods used included Chi-square and Fisher exact test. A statistical significant association (p<0.05). The main findings of the current study indicate that the commonest occupational hazards among the health workers in Al-Kut hospital was noise (58.6%), and the second hazard in this category was fire (51.9%). While in Al-Karamah hospital the commonest occupational hazards among the health workers was noise (57.9%). Conlusively, the study was found that health workers in Al-Karamah hospital had experienced light, heat, noise, psychological, and chemical hazard higher than health workers in Al-Kut hospital. In addition, the health workers in Al-Karamah hospital had experienced biological lower than health workers in Al-Kut hospital.