Health workers; evaluation of its interaction on occupational health and safety

Since the health sector is a very dangerous work area, those who provide services in this field face many occupational risks and dangers. Knowing the level of Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) perception of healthcare professionals and the extent to which they display this as a form of professional behavior will be useful in terms of health and safety activities in their institutions. One of the main objectives of this research is to evaluate the OHS perception levels of employees in this field and to eliminate occupational problems that may occur. In this study, it was aimed to determine OHS perceptions in order to ensure that the health sector can work more effectively and efficiently by reducing the harm of work accidents and occupational diseases and thus provide high quality service to citizens. In the research, a survey was conducted on 305 people employed in the health sector in Şırnak province and the data obtained were evaluated. Gender, age, marital status, education level, title, type of work, duration of professional experience, income level, OHS training, occupational disease, work accident, OHS satisfaction levels, measures taken by the institution management, working environment ergonomics, etc. were included in the survey. Data regarding the effects of the variables were analyzed statistically. In the study, descriptive statistics were interpreted and t-test, ANOVA were used to determine the distribution of dependent and independent variables on demographic characteristics, and Tukey Test was performed to determine the difference between variables. As a result of the study, it was understood that the evaluations of healthcare workers regarding their OHS perceptions differed significantly according to their age, education level, duration of professional experience, income level, OHS training, occupational disease, work accident or injury status. Again, it was understood from the demographic data that there was no significant difference in terms of gender status, marital status, title status and work type status. It was observed that there was a significant difference between the level of satisfaction with the OHS studies in the institution and their titles. It has been understood that there is a significant difference between the OHS measures taken by the institution's management and the educational status, and between the ergonomics of the working environment in the institution and working hours. According to the results obtained, the measures recommended to be taken by health institution managements, as well as practices that increase job satisfaction and motivation, are summarized at the end of the study.