Abstract

 Objective: The present study aimed to evaluate the occupational health hazards that face health care providers in Sulaimani City.
 Methods: A cross-sectional study conducted utilizing quantitative data collection methods. It involved 159 respondents including Physicians, Pharmacists, Medical assistants, Laboratory Instructors and Nurses who worked in 8 major health facilities in Sulaimani city, Kurdistan region, Iraq.
 Results: Nurses were the most susceptible group to sharp related injuries 13.84%, cuts and wounds 10.69% than the others and they were more experiencing verbal abuse in the workplace 15%. Laboratory instructors represent the most exposed group to contaminated specimens/biohazards 17.6% and blood borne pathogens 13.84, while the physicians represent the most prone group to acquire infectious diseases 15.1% and both the physicians and the nurses were equally exposed to airborne diseases 11.32%. Furthermore, physicians were the most group that suffered from work related stress 13.8%; and medical assistants were the most susceptible to radiation 3.1%. Meanwhile, Laboratory instructors were the most exposed group to physical distress 15.1%, falls 5%, unsafe staffing 13.8%, chemical spills 8.8% and noise 5.4%.
 Conclusion: Healthcare providers in these settings experienced various types of occupational hazards in their workplaces, which became a dominant issue among the health care providers. Interventions should be established to alleviate these hazards.
Highlights
The healthcare workforce constitutes 12% of the working population around the world[1]
According to National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), healthcare providers are facing expanding numbers of occupational hazards including wounds and ailments, with rates having increased significantly during the previous decade [2]. It has been assessed by the International Labour Organization (ILO) that 160 million people in the world suffer from occupation-related illnesses such as musculoskeletal diseases and psychiatric problems
Regarding the non-biological hazards, the results showed that physicians were the most likely group to suffer from work related stress; and medical assistants were the most susceptible to radiation
Summary
The healthcare workforce constitutes 12% of the working population around the world[1]. According to National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), healthcare providers are facing expanding numbers of occupational hazards including wounds and ailments, with rates having increased significantly during the previous decade [2]. It has been assessed by the International Labour Organization (ILO) that 160 million people in the world suffer from occupation-related illnesses such as musculoskeletal diseases and psychiatric problems. Biological hazards refer to organisms or organic matters produced by these organisms that are harmful to human health These include parasites, viruses, bacteria, fungi and protein. Regarding non-biological hazards it includes chemical, physical, psychological hazards, noise, stress and others [5]
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Schedule a callMore From: Iraqi Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences ( P-ISSN: 1683 - 3597 , E-ISSN : 2521 - 3512)
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