PREVALENCE OF OCCUPATIONAL DISEASES AND PRACTICE OF SAFETY CONTROL MEASURES AMONG HEALTH WORKERS OF GENERAL HOSPITAL MINNA

Abstract

This study determines the prevalence of occupational diseases and safety practices among health workers of General Hospital, Minna. The study was Cross Sectional Descriptive. Stratified Sampling Technique was adopted. Semi structured questionnaire was used to collect data. Data was analyzed in frequency tables. The most common occupational disease among the respondents include: Stress & Exhaustion 61.2%, Needle Stick Injury 52.8% and Neck and Low Back Pain 56.4%. Forty-two point eight percent (42.8%) of the respondents have received at least one dose of Hepatitis B Vaccine. Majority 57.2% never receive the Vaccine. There was no association between socio-demographic characteristics and receipt of vaccine. About 18.4% of the respondents have being exposed to fluids of HIV/AIDS patients through needle stick injury. Majority of them 60.9% have gone for Post Exposure Prophylaxis against HIV. More than half of the respondents 58.8% have been using Personal Protective Equipments (PPE). The study concludes that there is poor knowledge, high attitude and high level of practice of control of occupational hazards among health workers among the respondents. There should be strengthening of Health Education and Training of Health Workers on Occupational Hazards and its Control.