Altitude of Health Worker towards Utilization of Safety Devices in Hospital
Abstract
This study was carried out to examine the attitude of health workers towards utilization of safety devices in Nsit Ibom Local Government Area. To guide the study, four objectives were set viz: to examine the attitude of Health Workers towards utilization of safety devices; to identify the barriers to effective utilization of safety devices by health workers in the health facility; to identify the health hazards associated with non-utilization of the safety devices available; and to determine strategies for prevention of health hazards among health workers in Nsit Ibom Local Government Area.
Four research questions were developed and several literatures were reviewed in the study. The study adopted a descriptive survey method with a sample size of 50 respondents. The instrument for data collection was questionnaire. Data were analysed using simple percentages and findings revealed that negative attitude of the health workers are responsible to non-utilization of safety devices at workplace.
Also, unavailability of most safety devices contributes to their non-utilization. Findings also revealed that there are certain dangers associated with non-utilization of safety device at workplace; hence, the need to utilize safety devices to prevent workplace hazards.
Altitude of Health Worker towards Utilization of Safety Devices in Hospital
CHAPTER ONE
INTRODUCTION
1.1 Background of the Study
Medical treatment is intended to save life and, improved Health workers who spend most time with the patients, have a responsibility to prevent transmissions of health-care association infection, adherence to safe infection practices and related infection control is a part of that responsibility as it protects patients and health workers (Loges, 2004).
Safety devices are devices design to prevent injury or accidents. They are devices that work to help secure the safety of anyone who is using them according to European Agency for Safety and Health at Work (2007), workers employed in the health care sectors have to deal with a wide rape of activities and environment that pose a threat to their health and put them at risk of occupational diseases or work related accidents. Many of the setting in which health care workers carry out their jobs and the multiplicity of tasks they perform can present a great variety of hazards.
More so, Geberating (2010) stresses that workers do not create hazards, rather, in many cases hazards are built into the work places hence occupation health and safety is to ensure that work is made by modifying the work processes. This means that the solution is to remove the hazards, and not to try to get workers to accept unsafe conditions.
Health care issue are often given more attention than workers safely action the health facilities can occur, it is important for the health workers to understand the new government action Safety Training Observed Programmed (STOP) teaching employee to be vigilant and observed their own and their colleagues activities and to be well trained in the correct usage of health safety devices also criteria should be establish to ensure both quality patients care and healthy workers’ safety (center for diseases and infection prevention control, CDC, (2004).
Moreover occupational health and safety problem inherent in health workers jobs as identified by Oluwagbemi (2007) are occupational diseases and occupational injuries. Some of the occupational diseases which the major reservoirs are patient suffering from it in the facility environment are introduced through people or environment or contaminated products.
Successful occupational health and safety practice require the collaboration and participation of both employers and workers in health and safety programmed involve the consideration of issue relating to health facilities. However, Health Care Workers (HCWs) safety is an important aspect of infection control; health care worker are at risk of occupational exposure to pathogens present in blood and body of fluids.
Altitude of Health Worker towards Utilization of Safety Devices in Hospital
Although the use of universal precaution has significantly reduced the risk, accidentally puncture of skin by needles, other instrument or broken glass (sharps) stills remains important sources of health worker acquire and necessitate further action in order to achieve the desire level of health care workers safety (US. Department of Labor, Occupational Safety and Health Administration, 2005).
Also, National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health (NOSH, 2008) state that the number of Health care workers injured at work is increasing while injuries in two of the most dangerous industries, agriculture and construction are decreasing, on this note, the researcher therefore is motivated to carry out a study on attitude of Health care workers towards utilization of safety devices in Nsit Ibom Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State.
Altitude of Health Worker towards Utilization of Safety Devices in Hospital
1.2 Statement of the Problem
It is observed that in Nsit Ibom Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State, Health workers complained of exposure to occupational Hazards including exposure to infectious diseases.
Also, that in attempt to saves lives, many of them sustained injuries, in the light of the above conditions, the researcher finds it necessary to investigate into attitude of health toward utilization of safety devices in their respective health facilities in Nsit Ibom Local Government Area.
1.3 Broad Objective of the Study
The broad objective of this study is to access altitude of health worker towards utilization of safety devices in Nsit Ibom Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State.
1.4 Specific Objectives
The specific objectives of the study are as follows:
- To examine the attitude of Health Workers towards utilization of safety devices in Nsit Ibom Local Government.
- To identify the barriers to effectives utilization of safety devices by health workers in the health facility in Nsit Ibom Local Government Area.
- To identify the health hazards associated with non-utilization of the safety devices available in Nsit Ibom Local Government Area.
- To determine strategies for prevention of health hazards among health workers in the study area.
1.5 Research Questions
The following research question will guide the study:
- What is the attitude of Health Workers towards utilization of safety devices in Nsit Ibom Local Government?
- What are the barriers to effective utilization of safety devices by health workers in the health facility in Nsit Ibom Local Government Area?
- What are the health hazards associated with non utilization of safety devices by health workers Nsit Ibom Local Government Area?
- What strategies are put in place for prevention of health hazards among health worker in the study Area?
1.6 Significance of the Study
The finding of this study will help improve the attitude of health workers towards utilization of safety devices also this study will help health planner to identify barriers to effective to effective workers. Also the findings of this study will help the Government to see the need to provide health facilities with safety gadget. The study will help the Government to formulate strategies for prevention of health hazards among health workers.
Finally, this safety will provide a basic for further research and serve as are reference materials for student that will carry put similar studies.
1.7 Scope of the Study
The study will cover attitude of health workers toward utilization of safety devices in Nsit Ibom Local Government Area, the study will not cover studies other than workers within Nsit Ibom Local Government Area. Also the study will be conducted in health facilities within the Local Government Area only and not in the nearby Local Government Areas.
