Authors :
Obiora Ezinne Amanda; Muogbo Amara Precious; Okeke Chinaza Emmanuella; Ezeugo Onyinye Anita; Muogbo Chinemerem Divine; Muogbo Chidimma Favour; Nwachukwu Chinyerem
Volume/Issue :
Volume 9 - 2024, Issue 12 - December
Google Scholar :
https://tinyurl.com/4bhu9w6s
Scribd :
https://tinyurl.com/bnavtuej
DOI :
https://doi.org/ 10.5281/zenodo.14608917
Abstract :
Background
Healthcare workers are dedicated to offering a
range of preventive and curative services to clients and
patients. In doing so, they often face exposure to various
hazards that may pose risks to their health and overall
well-being. These risks encompass psychosocial
challenges, including workplace stress, violence, and
harassment, all of which significantly impact the mental
well-being of healthcare professionals. Controlling and
minimizing these psychosocial hazards among healthcare
workers present a unique challenge especially in
developing countries.
Hence, we explored the perception, frequency of
occurrence and impact of these psychosocial hazards on
the health and wellbeing of health workers in
Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University Teaching
Hospital, Amaku-Awka as well as the impact on
productivity and economic costs.
The findings were consistent with previous research
studies on the subject matter and we concluded by
recommending feasible approaches which would
increase awareness of psychosocial hazards among
healthcare workers and strategies to mitigate the
deleterious effects of these hazards.
Methodology
This study utilized a cross-sectional descriptive
approach to explore the awareness, prevalence, and
effects of psychosocial hazards among healthcare
workers at Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu
University Teaching Hospital (COOUTH) Amaku,
Awka. A stratified sampling technique was employed to
select 100 participants from the target population. Data
collection was conducted using a semi-structured, self-
administered questionnaire.
Results
In this study, the average age of respondents was
35.47 ± 9.51 years. Participants demonstrated substantial
awareness of various psychosocial hazards impacting
healthcare workers during the delivery of clinical
services. The most commonly acknowledged hazards
included work-related stress (96 respondents, 98%),
work-related fatigue caused by mentally and physically
demanding tasks (90 respondents, 91.8%), and
workplace abuse in the form of disrespectful behavior
(84 respondents, 89.4%). However, awareness was
relatively low for hazards such as substance use in the
workplace (18 respondents, 18.4%), isolation or
exclusion (30 respondents, 30.6%), and assignment of
unachievable tasks (32 respondents, 32.7%).
Regarding the occurrence of psychosocial hazards,
the most frequently reported included work-related
fatigue caused by mentally and physically demanding
tasks (50 respondents, 51%), environmental stress (44
respondents, 44.9%), and work-related stress (40
respondents, 40.8%). On the other hand, workplace
abuse linked to substance use (82 respondents, 83.7%),
sexual harassment such as coercion (84 respondents,
87.5%), and racial discrimination (86 respondents,
87.8%) were identified as the least prevalent
psychosocial hazards.
In terms of the impact, a significant proportion (68
respondents, 69.4%) expressed feeling positively
influenced by their work, stating they effectively address
patients’ issues and believe they make meaningful
contributions to others' lives. However, the study also
identified adverse effects on the health of workers who
had experienced psychosocial hazards in the workplace.
Musculoskeletal disorders 60 (60%) representing health
impairments, sleep disorders 56 (56%) and insufficient
physical activity 48 (49%) both representing coping
behaviors constitute the most prevalent effects of
psychosocial hazards on health. Impact on productivity
and economic costs were also evaluated. Reduced
motivation, satisfaction and commitment 44 (44%) represented the most prevalent effect on productivity
while reduced efficiency and accuracy in performance 18
(18%) recorded the least prevalence.
Conclusion
Findings from this study revealed that healthcare
workers demonstrated adequate awareness of the
various psychosocial hazards they face in the workplace.
The frequency of these hazards differed among
respondents, with fatigue from work as a result of
mentally and physically demanding tasks, environmental
stress, and work-related stress emerging as the most
commonly experienced issues. Despite these challenges,
many healthcare workers maintained a positive attitude
toward their roles, viewing their work as meaningful and
impactful.
However, the study also identified notable negative
effects of psychosocial hazards on workers' health.
Common health-related impacts included
musculoskeletal disorders, sleep disturbances, and
insufficient physical activity, which were recognized as
prevalent coping-related issues. In terms of productivity,
reduced motivation, job satisfaction, and commitment
were among the most reported impacts. Conversely,
reduced efficiency and accuracy in task performance
were the least frequently noted consequences of
psychosocial hazards.
Keywords :
Psychosocial Hazards, Awareness, Health Workers, COOUTH.
References :
- World Health Organization. Occupational Health: Health Workers. World Health Organization. 2018. [Last assessed on 2020 Mar 3]. Available from: http://www.who.int/occupational_health/topics/hcworkers/en/
- Packard R.M. Industrial production; health and disease in sub-Saharan Africa. Soc Sci Med. 1989;28:75–96.
- Franco G, Franco F. Bernardino Ramazzini: The Father of Occupational Medicine. Am J Public Health 2001;91(9):1382
- World Health Organization. Health workforce. World Health Report 2006; Geneva. Available from: http://www.who.int/hrh/whr06/en/index.html [cited 2016 Oct 11].
- Cox T, Griffiths AJ. The assessment of psychosocial hazards at work In Schabracq MJ, J.A.M. Winnubst JAM, Cooper CL. (Eds.). Handbook of Work and Health Psychology. Chichester: Wiley & Sons. 1996.
- European Agency for Safety and Health at Work. Risk assesment in health care. 2016;1–8. Available from: http://www.osha.mddsz.gov.si/resources/files/pdf/E-fact_18_-_Risk_assesment_in_health_care.pdf [cited 2016 Nov 1].
- World Health Organization. Health Impact of Psychosocial Hazards at work: An Overview 2010. Available from www.whqlibdoc.who.int/publications/2010/9789241500272.eng.pdf
- World Health Organization. Protecting Workers’ Health Series, No. 3. Geneva: World Health Organization; 2003. Work Organization and Stress.
- Siegrist J, Rödel A. Work stress and health risk behavior. Scand J Work Environ Health. 2006;32:473–81.
- Fischer FM, Oliveira DC, Nagai R, Teixeira LR, Lombardi Júnior M, Latorre Mdo R, et al. Job control, job demands, social support at work and health among adolescent workers. Rev Saude Publica. 2005;39:245–53.
- Owolabi AO, Owolabi MO, OlaOlorun AD, et al. Work-related stress perception and hypertensionamongst health workers of a mission hospital inOyo State, south-western Nigeria. African J PrimHeal Care Fam Med. 2012;14:4(1).
- World Health Organization. Health work force. World Health Report 2006; Geneva. Availablefrom: www.who.int/hrh/whr06/en/index.html [cited 2016 Oct 11].
- Franco G, Franco F. Bernardino Ramazzini: The Father of Occupational Medicine. Am J Public Health 2001;91(9):1382.
- Cox T, Griffiths AJ. The assessment of psychosocial hazards at work In Schabracq MJ,J.A.M. Winnubst JAM, Cooper CL. (Eds.).Handbook of Work and Health Psychology. Chichester: Wiley & Sons. 1996.
- Backé EM, Seidler A, Latza U, et al. The role of psychosocial stress at work for the development of cardiovascular diseases: a systematic review. Int.Arch. Occup. Environ. Health 2012;85(1):67-79. doi: 10.1007/s00420-011-0643-6.
- Cottini E, Lucifora C. Mental health and working conditions in Europe. Ind Labor Relat Rev.2013;66(4):958-88. doi:10.1177/001979391306600409
- Jain A, Leka S. Health impact of psychosocial hazards at work: an overview. World Health Organization. 2010;1–136. Available from: http://apps.who.int/iris/bitstream/10665/44428/1/9789241500272_eng.pdf [cited 2016 Nov 7]
- International Labour Organization. Psychosocial risks and work-related stress. Work Health Promotion well-being. 2016. Availablefrom:http://www.ilo.org/safework/areasofwork/workplace-health-promotion-and-well-being/WCMS_108557/lang—en/index.htm [cited 2016 Nov 7]
- Leka S, Jain A, Iavicoli S, et al.. An Evaluation of the Policy Context on Psychosocial Risks and Mental Health in the Workplace in the European Union: Achievements, Challenges, and the Future. Biomed Res Int. 2015:1–18.
- 20.Basiri S, Aria N, Basiri N, et al.. Psychological Effects of Stress in the Workplace: A Case studyof Stress Management. IJAMCE 2015;3:439–447.
- Evelyn Kortum, Stavroula Leka, Tom Cox .Perceptions of Psychosocial Hazards, Work-related Stress and Workplace Priority Risks.https://doi.org/10.1539/joh.O10016
- 22.Arasi Senthil, Balasubramanian Aandh, Palsamy Jayachandran et al. Perception and prevalence of work-related health hazards among health care workers in public health facilities in southern India.2014 December 08 https://doi.org/10.1179/2049396714Y.0000000096
- 23. C.U. OKEAFOR, F.E. ALAMINA.A qualitative study on psychosocial hazards among health care workers in a tertiary health facility in south-south Nigeria;2018 vol 16 No.1
- 24.Kopec Jacek, Sayre Eric. Work-Related Psychosocial Factors and Chronic Pain: A Prospective Cohort Study in Canadian health Workers. Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine: December 2004 - Volume 46 - Issue 12 - p 1263-1271.
- 25. Kristina Jakobson, Per Gustavsson.0284 Occupational exposure and stroke – A critical review of shift work, and work-related psychosocial risk factors. BMJ Journals of occupational and environmental medicine. Volume 71, Issue Suppl 1. http://dx.doi.org/10.1136/oemed-2014-102362.315
- 26. James B. Burch, Jasmine Tom, Yusheng Zhai, Lela Criswell, Edward Leo, Kisito Ogoussan, Shift work impacts and adaptation among health care workers, Occupational Medicine, Volume 59, Issue 3, May 2009, Pages 159–166, https://doi.org/10.1093/occmed/kqp015
- 27. G. Jourdain, D. Cheˆnevert (2010). Job demands–resources, burnout and intention to leave the nursing profession: A questionnaire survey. International Journal of Nursing Studies, (47),709–722.
- 28.Budin, W. C., Brewer, C. S., Chao, Y., & Kovner,C. (2013). Verbal abuse from nurse colleagues and work environment of early career registered nurses. Journal of Nursing Scholarship, 45(3), 308-316. doi:10.1111/jnu.12033
- 29.Budin, Wendy & Brewer, Carol & Chao, Ying-Yu & Kovner, Christine. (2013). Verbal Abuse From Nurse Colleagues and Work Environment of Early Career Registered Nurses. Journal of nursing scholarship : an official publication of Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society of Nursing / Sigma Theta Tau. 45. 10.1111/jnu.12033.
- 30.Nkporbu, A. , Asuquo, E. and Douglas, K. (2016) Assessment of Risk Factors for Psychosocial Hazards among Workers in a Tertiary Institution in Nigeria: The Need for a Safer Work Environment. Open Access Library Journal, 3, 1-16. doi: 10.4236/oalib.1103104.
- 31.Work-Related Psychosocial Hazards and Arteriosclerosis
- A Cross-Sectional Study Among Medical Employees in a Regional Hospital in Taiwan Li-Ping Chou, Chung-Yi Li, Susan C. Hu. https://doi.org/10.1536/ihj.15-143
- 32. Assessment of risk factors for psychosocial hazards among workers in a tertiary institution in Nigeria: the need for a safer work environment. AK Nkporbu, EO Asuquo, KE Douglas. Open Access Library Journal 3 (10), 1-16, 2016
- 33.A comparative study of burnout syndrome among health professionals in a Nigerian teaching hospital. BO Olley. College of Medicine, University of Ibadan and the University College Hospital, 2003
- Kennedy N. A. Assessment of Psychosocial Hazards among Workers at the University of Port Harcourt. Journal of clinical Depression 2018. 4:3. DOI: 10.4172/2572-0791.1000135.
- Benburg M, Vitzthum K, Groneberg D.A, Mache S. Physicians occupational stress depressive symptoms and work ability in relation to their working environment. BMJ open-2016:1-9. doi:10.1136/bmjopen-2016-011369.
- Quaitin R, MD, Zamini A, Nasag E, Annunziata MA, Culligaris I, MD, Brusaferro. Silvio. Level of burnout among Nurses working in oncology nursing forum 2006;33[4]:815
- Abdul Salam M.A.H, Shari J.L., Khald N, Abuelgasim M.A.A. JOB STRESS AND JOB SATISFACTION AMONG HEALTH CARE PROFESSIONALS. European Scientific Journal November 2014 edition Vol. 10, No.32 ISSN: 1857-7881
- Tumiso M. Stress and HCW caring for PLWHA in Polokwane Municipality Clinics. Tropical medicine and International Health 2005;10(4):300-304
- Abdo S.A.M, El-Sallamy R.M, El-Sherbiny A.A.M and Kabbash I. A. Burnout among physicians and nursing staffs working in the emergency hosptal of Tanta University, Egypt; Eastern Mediterrean health Journal. Aug. 2009 Oct 19;191(8):4-6
- Okwaraji F.E, Aguwa E.N, Burnout & psychological distress among nurses in a Nigerian Tertiary health Institution; African Health Sciences. Mar 2014 Vol 14 No(1) pp 237-245
- Hilary M.D. Abbreviated Maslach Burnout Inventory. Physician Health and Well Being: The Art and Science of Self-Care in Medicine. 2014. Available from: https://rmhgrandrounds.files. wordpress.com/2015/03/soim_abbreviated _maslach_burnout_inventory.pdf
- Obasohan MO, Ayodele KO. Assessment of job stress among clinical health workers in three selected health-care industries in Lagos State, Nigeria. IFE Psychology IA. 2014;22:2.
- Owolabi AO, Owolabi MO, OlaOlorun AD, Olofin A. Work-related stress perception and hypertension amongst health workers of a mission hospital in Oyo State, South-Western Nigeria. Afr J Prim Health Care Fam Med. 2012;14:307.
- Etim JJ, Bassey PF, Ndep AO. Work – Related stress among healthcare workers in Ugep, Yakurr local government area, cross river state, Nigeria: A study of sources, effects, and coping strategies. Int J Pub Health Pharm Pharmacol. 2015;1:23–34.
- Rahul A, Kartik M, Palepu G.B. Stress levels of critical doctors in india; a national survey. Indian journal of critical care medicine May 2015; vol 19 Issue(5) 257-283.
- Etim J, Bassey J, Philip E, Ndep A.O. Work related stress among healthcare workers in Ugep, Crossriver state, Nigeria. International Journal Of Public Health, Pharmacy and Pharmacology Vol.(1), July 2015 No.(1), pp.23-34.
- Abdul Salam M.A.H, Shari J.L, Khalid N, Abuelgasim M.A.A, Job stress and job satisfaction among healthcare professionals. European Scientific Journal November 2014 edition Vol.10, No.32 ISSN: 1857-7881.
- Silva A.M, Guimaraes L.A.M. Occupational stress and quality of life in Nursing Paideia-2016, Jan-Apr; 26[]63-70.
Background
Healthcare workers are dedicated to offering a
range of preventive and curative services to clients and
patients. In doing so, they often face exposure to various
hazards that may pose risks to their health and overall
well-being. These risks encompass psychosocial
challenges, including workplace stress, violence, and
harassment, all of which significantly impact the mental
well-being of healthcare professionals. Controlling and
minimizing these psychosocial hazards among healthcare
workers present a unique challenge especially in
developing countries.
Hence, we explored the perception, frequency of
occurrence and impact of these psychosocial hazards on
the health and wellbeing of health workers in
Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University Teaching
Hospital, Amaku-Awka as well as the impact on
productivity and economic costs.
The findings were consistent with previous research
studies on the subject matter and we concluded by
recommending feasible approaches which would
increase awareness of psychosocial hazards among
healthcare workers and strategies to mitigate the
deleterious effects of these hazards.
Methodology
This study utilized a cross-sectional descriptive
approach to explore the awareness, prevalence, and
effects of psychosocial hazards among healthcare
workers at Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu
University Teaching Hospital (COOUTH) Amaku,
Awka. A stratified sampling technique was employed to
select 100 participants from the target population. Data
collection was conducted using a semi-structured, self-
administered questionnaire.
Results
In this study, the average age of respondents was
35.47 ± 9.51 years. Participants demonstrated substantial
awareness of various psychosocial hazards impacting
healthcare workers during the delivery of clinical
services. The most commonly acknowledged hazards
included work-related stress (96 respondents, 98%),
work-related fatigue caused by mentally and physically
demanding tasks (90 respondents, 91.8%), and
workplace abuse in the form of disrespectful behavior
(84 respondents, 89.4%). However, awareness was
relatively low for hazards such as substance use in the
workplace (18 respondents, 18.4%), isolation or
exclusion (30 respondents, 30.6%), and assignment of
unachievable tasks (32 respondents, 32.7%).
Regarding the occurrence of psychosocial hazards,
the most frequently reported included work-related
fatigue caused by mentally and physically demanding
tasks (50 respondents, 51%), environmental stress (44
respondents, 44.9%), and work-related stress (40
respondents, 40.8%). On the other hand, workplace
abuse linked to substance use (82 respondents, 83.7%),
sexual harassment such as coercion (84 respondents,
87.5%), and racial discrimination (86 respondents,
87.8%) were identified as the least prevalent
psychosocial hazards.
In terms of the impact, a significant proportion (68
respondents, 69.4%) expressed feeling positively
influenced by their work, stating they effectively address
patients’ issues and believe they make meaningful
contributions to others' lives. However, the study also
identified adverse effects on the health of workers who
had experienced psychosocial hazards in the workplace.
Musculoskeletal disorders 60 (60%) representing health
impairments, sleep disorders 56 (56%) and insufficient
physical activity 48 (49%) both representing coping
behaviors constitute the most prevalent effects of
psychosocial hazards on health. Impact on productivity
and economic costs were also evaluated. Reduced
motivation, satisfaction and commitment 44 (44%) represented the most prevalent effect on productivity
while reduced efficiency and accuracy in performance 18
(18%) recorded the least prevalence.
Conclusion
Findings from this study revealed that healthcare
workers demonstrated adequate awareness of the
various psychosocial hazards they face in the workplace.
The frequency of these hazards differed among
respondents, with fatigue from work as a result of
mentally and physically demanding tasks, environmental
stress, and work-related stress emerging as the most
commonly experienced issues. Despite these challenges,
many healthcare workers maintained a positive attitude
toward their roles, viewing their work as meaningful and
impactful.
However, the study also identified notable negative
effects of psychosocial hazards on workers' health.
Common health-related impacts included
musculoskeletal disorders, sleep disturbances, and
insufficient physical activity, which were recognized as
prevalent coping-related issues. In terms of productivity,
reduced motivation, job satisfaction, and commitment
were among the most reported impacts. Conversely,
reduced efficiency and accuracy in task performance
were the least frequently noted consequences of
psychosocial hazards.
Keywords :
Psychosocial Hazards, Awareness, Health Workers, COOUTH.