Occupational Health and Safety Practices Among Frontline Medical Laboratory Staff in the Covid-19 Testing Centres in the Bono Region of Ghana

Abstract

Background: Medical laboratory personnel are exposed to various occupational risks, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic. Their role in testing COVID-19 patients puts them at risk of contracting the virus while handling specimens. This study aimed to assess the occupational health and safety practices of frontline medical laboratory staff in COVID-19 testing laboratories in Ghana's Bono region. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted using purposive sampling among medical laboratory staff at five COVID-19 testing centers in the Bono region. Checklists, interview schedules and structured questionnaires were used for data collection. Data analysis was performed using SPSS 20.0. Results: The study included 137 participants, with 85 (62.0%) aged between 21 and 30 years. Males constituted 96(70.1%) whiles females constituted 41(29.9%) of the study participants. Among the respondents, 55% reported having been infected with COVID-19 before vaccination, 30% after vaccination, and 15% both before and after immunization. The majority of participants (93%) emphasized the importance of adhering to occupational health and safety procedures. Furthermore, 97% believed that standard operating procedures should be regularly reviewed, and 91% agreed that rewards should be provided for following safety protocols. Conclusion: The study revealed a positive attitude toward adherence to occupational health and safety protocols among frontline medical laboratory staff in COVID-19 testing centers in the Bono region of Ghana.