Worker safety and occupational risk factors regarding auxillary health personnel

This study is a cross sectional/ descriptive study that aims to assess major risk factors affecting negatively the nurses, and health technicians working at GATA training hospital, and to determine their awareness and attitudes on the topic and to reveal out proper measures. The study applied face to face method to 284 people sampled from the total of 1066 auxiliary health workers. Workers? safety and occupational health risks questionnaire for auxiliary health professional was used as data collection tool. Data obtained was analyzed with SPSS15.o statistical package program. Descriptive statistics were given as frequency and percentages. Khi square method was used for comparison of categorical variables. As statistical significance, the value of p<0,05 was accepted.From all participants 41.9 % (n=119) stated that proper number of personnel for sufficiently handling of the workload at their work unit is not available. From them, 62.4 % (n=174) and 64.7 % (n=182) thought periodic maintenances are conducted for medical devices and electronic devices respectively. The proportion those who have stated that in-service training on hospital workers? safety are not given regularly was 42.9 % (n=121). This proportion was lower among nurses (33.5 %, n=58). While 73.4 % of those professionals working at the departments with possible radioactivity exposures have stated protective equipment are available, 70.9% (n=22) have stated they are exposed to radioactivity sourced from the devices at their departments. Among participants from dental services, 85.7 % (n=6) thought that the ventilation system is not sufficient at their departments. From all participants, 79.2% (n=209) stated that they suffered tiredness due to the 95turn of duty. From the participants, 18 (64.3 %) out of 28 operation room personnel and 19 (50.0%) out of 38 intensive care personnel stated that they contacted an contaminated subject with an infectious agent. Although there is no limitation to obtain protective equipment at the hospital, health personnel are exposed to the occupational health risks both from working environment and contact with patient or materials. Key words1. Health services2. Hospital3. Auxiliary Health personnel4. Workers? safety5. Occupational Health risks