Abstract
Background: Occupational diseases among doctors and nurses are on the rise globally, but there is lack of a detailed narrative in existing literature about occupational diseases amongst doctors and nurses in districts hospitals in Mpumalanga, South Africa. The mitigation of the problem requires an understanding of the factors associated with the prevalence of self-reported occupational health conditions among the doctors and nurses.
Objective: The aim of the study was to investigate the factors associated with self-reported occupational health conditions among doctors and nurses at a district hospital in Mpumalanga, South Africa.
Methods: This was a descriptive quantitative cross-sectional study of 134 doctors and nurses from a district hospital in Mpumalanga, South Africa. The data was collected using a self-administered paper-based questionnaire. The self-reported data was collated on the dependent binary outcome variables age (“old age or young age”) and occupation (doctor or nurse) and on the independent variables which were self-reported occupational health conditions, socio-demographic variables, occupational history and work routine of the doctors and nurses by age, and adherence to occupational health and safety measures in the workplace of health workers by age.
The data analysis was done using the statistical software SPSS26 and the CDC program EPINFO 7.2. Descriptive statistics and inferential statistical analysis were done for each independent variable and were computed and presented in the form of figures and tables showing frequencies, the crude odds ratios (OR) and adjusted odds ratios (AOR) along with their 95% confidence intervals (CI), respectively. Multivariable logistic regression model was applied to determine the significance of association for each predictor to the dependent variable after controlling for the sociodemographic confounders such as gender and level of education.
Results: The factors associated with experience of self-reported occupational health conditions were old age-group aged 39 - 65 years (airborne infections (OR=0.38, CI: 0.16-0.89), being a doctor (AOR=0.1, CI: 0.02-0.48), working in the theatre (AOR=0.17, CI: 0.03-0.90) and outpatient department (AOR=0.09, CI: 0.01-0.73). There were no statistically significant differences in the associations with age for tiredness, anxiety, blood-borne infections and stress. Doctors were more likely to be of old age than nurses (AOR=0.1, CI: 0.02-0.48). The old age group was also more likely to have 11-15 years’ experience (OR=0.14, CI: 0.03-0.70) and 16-20 years’ experience (AO= 0.18, CI: 0.04-0.96). The doctors were more likely to be exposed to air-borne infections than nurses (OR=5.96, CI: 1.79-19.83), and they were also more likely to experience abuse from patients in the workplace (OR=5.13, CI: 1.56-16.94). The respondents who were significantly more likely to be exposed to sharps were of old age (AOR=2.84, CI:1.26-6.39). The old age respondents were more likely not to have personal protective equipment (PPE) (OR=0.71, CI: 0.32-1.58), were also more likely to use PPE sometimes (OR=0.32, CI:0.14-0.73), and never to use PPE (AOR=0.38, CI: 0.16-0.92). The old age group was more likely not to have knowledge about occupational hazards and safety procedures and regulations, as well as access to occupational health protocols, legislation and policy (AOR=0.39, CI: 0.18-0.84).
Conclusion: Airborne occupational health conditions were reported mostly by doctors and may be related to their placement in high-risk areas such as the outpatient department and theatre. Doctors were also at greater risk of abuse by patients than nurses. The significant long work experience of the old age group was not protective as they were more vulnerable to the challenges of the occupational and health measures in the hospital. Therefore, the measures to mitigate occupational diseases need to consider the self-reported occupational health conditions with particular consideration for the old age group of doctors and nurses in the hospital.
Key words: self-reported occupational health conditions, sociodemographic factors, occupational history, occupational health and safety measures, occupational health protocols, legislation and policy.