Occupational risk perception in Health Education and Research: Better knowledge, better prevention

Abstract

Abstract Background Workers of Biologic Sciences and Health, in the exercise of their occupational activities, are exposed to several occupational hazards. Objective To identify the occupational hazards and risks of occupational and “work-related” diseases in a Public Health Education and Research Institution located in Lisbon (Portugal). Methods Descriptive study carried out by applying a structured questionnaire to collect information regarding the perception of exposure to occupational hazards, risk perception (cognitive and emotional) and sociodemographic and occupational variables. Results 95% of workers report exposure to at least one occupational hazard. Exposure to risk factors related to the activity or ergonomic (74%) was reported by all professional categories and work areas. Exposure to physical hazards were perceived by 60% of workers and mainly in laboratory work (78%). Exposure to microbiological agents (51%) and chemical substances (49%) is perceived mainly by professionals who work in the laboratory with 81% and 82%, respectively. Psychosocial risk (33%), mainly career progression, were reported by 84.6% of professionals at general services and by 79% in teaching. However, workers have difficulty perceiving occupational risk, since only 15% of participants considered the probability of having an occupational accident to be high, 15% of acquiring an acute illness and 25% a chronic disease. About 45% of workers were not concerned with the severity and implications of the accident or illness in their lives. Differences were identified in the characterization of risk perception considering the work area and antiquity time in the institution. Conclusions Understanding workers occupational risk perception is an indispensable condition for an effective occupational risk management. Only in this way is it possible to define health surveillance protocols and planning effective preventive and health-promoting measures at work on an individual and or collective level. Key messages Occupational risk perception evaluation is essential to define health surveillance protocols and planning effective preventive and health-promoting interventions at work. More studies about hazards and risk perception in Health Education and Research is necessary to the definition of adequate preventive policies to improve the protection of their workers’ health.