Perceptions of nurses on occupational hazards and safety practices in Ditsobotla public hospitals of North West Province

Abstract

Background: By profession, nurses are one of healthcare workers who attend patients through a variety of preventive and curative services. However, while their attention is on providing care, they are vulnerable to hazards that affect their health and wellbeing. This is very common in public hospitals, more especially in developing countries where health service delivery is poor with minimal safety practices against exposures to infectious agents. Nurses exposed to various forms of occupational hazards while doing their work. Aim: The aim of this study was to explore perceptions of all categories of nurses on occupational hazards and safety practices in Ditsobotla public hospitals in North West Province. Methodology: The study used qualitative exploratory and descriptive design. The population of this study was nurses of all categories working in different units within Ditsobotla public hospitals of North West Province. Purposive sampling was applied as data was collected from a minimum of 15 participants. Data collected using Semi-structured focus group discussions and recorded by audiotape and Donabedian framework used to assist the researcher in data collection and analysis. Four (4) focus group discussions were conducted wherein first group consisted of three (3) participants and last three groups consisted of four (4) participants. Donabedian framework used to collect the data. Ethical approval was obtained from North West University (HREC) and permission to conduct the study from North West Department of Health. The HREC’s standards of practice guaranteed participants’ rights to informed consent, confidentiality and privacy. The researcher analysed the data using the thematic framework proposed by Creswell. Verbatim quotes reported the findings, supported through literature control. Guba’s model of assessment of trustworthiness ensured quality of data. Section B, which is divided into two parts, presents the findings and discussion of the present study. Part 1 is an integrative literature review of the study, where Donabedian conceptual framework used. Part 2 gives the results of the study, presented in the form of themes and sub-theme. Findings: The study revealed health hazards namely; infections such as HIV, hepatitis B and C virus, Covid19, musculoskeletal injuries, needle srick injuries, physical and verbal abuse back in the workplace. Nurses also reported fatigue, loss of sleep due to stress, anxiety and persistent tiredness. Conclusion: The study concluded that nurses at Ditsobotla public hospitals perceived different occupational hazards in the workplace including; physical, chemical, biological and psychosocial health hazards. Recommendation: There is a need for risk reduction and aversion through hazard mitigation strategies, proper job placement and safety education. Short courses should be available to inform nurses and improve their skills in being innovative in the implementation of Occupational Health and Safety Act (OHSA) for compliance in all nursing units.