Authors :
Dr. Osahenrhumwen Adagbonyin; Rosemary Ngozi Osunde; Joy Adagbonyin; Dr. Isaac Napthali
Volume/Issue :
Volume 11 - 2026, Issue 4 - April
Google Scholar :
https://tinyurl.com/4cw5fn9m
Scribd :
https://tinyurl.com/ynkn4zue
DOI :
https://doi.org/10.38124/ijisrt/26apr2100
Note : A published paper may take 4-5 working days from the publication date to appear in PlumX Metrics, Semantic Scholar, and ResearchGate.
Abstract :
Background:
Occupational hazards and safety practices are crucial components of workplace health, especially in the healthcare
sector. This study aimed to assess the knowledge of occupational hazards and the factors militating against adherence to
safety practices among staff of Primary Health Care Centres in Benin city, Nigeria.
Methodology:
A descriptive cross-sectional design was used with structured questionnaire administered to the entire one hundred
and ninety two staff in Oredo local government area. One hundred and eighty four filled questionnaire were retrieved
representing 95.8%. Data collected focused on level of knowledge of occupational hazards among the staff, the safety
practices engaged, and the factors hindering adherence to safety practices.
Results:
Findings revealed high knowledge of occupational hazards, inconsistent safety practices, with inadequate supply of
personal protective devices, inadequate staff, lack of enforcement of safety protocols, as well as inadequate training and
retraining of staff identified as militating factors against adherence to safety practices. Statistically significant relationship
exist between level of knowledge and the reported factors militating against safety practices.
Conclusion:
The study highlights the need for a holistic approach to improving adherence to safety practices.
Keywords :
Hazards, Occupational Health, Safety Practices, Primary Health.
References :
- Adegoke, A. N., & Ajibola, O. O. (2020). Occupational hazards awareness and compliance with safety measures among primary health care workers in Southwestern Nigeria. Journal of Community Medicine and Primary Health Care, 32(2), 45–55. https://doi.org/10.4314/jcmphc.v32i2.6
- Agarwal, S., Pahwa, S., & Kumar, R. (2020). Knowledge, attitudes, and practices of healthcare workers regarding personal protective equipment in India. Journal of Infection and Public Health, 13(9), 1393–1399. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jiph.2019.11.010
- Akambi, O. M., Ojo, T. O., & Oke, M. O. (2019). Occupational health hazards and safety practices among healthcare workers in selected primary healthcare centers. Journal of Occupational Health and Safety, 35(2), 205–213.
- Aliyu, S. M., Bello, M. S., & Umar, S. M. (2020). Knowledge of occupational hazards and safety practices among primary healthcare workers. Nigerian Journal of Basic and Clinical Research, 18(4), 45–51.
- Assefa, Y., Hill, P. S., Van Damme, W., & Baerniggause, T. (2021). The role of primary health care in achieving global health goals: A scoping review. Global Health Action, 14(1). https://doi.org/[insert DOI if available]
- Asuzu, M. C. (2018). Knowledge, attitude, and practice of occupational safety among primary healthcare workers in a Southern Nigerian community. African Journal of Primary Healthcare & Family Medicine, 10(1), 1–6. https://doi.org/10.02/phcfm.v10i1.1579
- Deressa, W., Worku, A., & Amogne, W. (2021). Shortage of personal protective equipment (PPE) among healthcare professionals in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia during the COVID-19 pandemic. Archives of Public Health, 79(1), 135. https://doi.org/10.1186/s13690-021-00668-3
- Deressa, W., Worku, A., & Amogne, W. (2021). Prevalence and associated factors of low back pain among healthcare professionals in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Dove Press Journal of Pain Research. https://doi.org/10.2147/JPR.S306107
- Dhakal, B., & Acharya, S. (2020). Knowledge regarding occupational health hazards among nurses in a hospital, Rupandehi, Nepal. Journal of Health and Allied Sciences, 9(1), 65–70.
- Erah, F. O., Chijioke, E. A., Uwaibi, N., Akamen, J., & Okhaware, M. (2020). Occupational hazards and safety measures in a tertiary health institution in Southern Nigeria. International Journal of Medical States, 10(1), 32–39.
- Innocent, D., Emerole, L., Ezejindu, C., Udoewah, S., Uzowuihe, P., & Madueke, V. (2022). Examination of common occupational hazards among healthcare workers in a university healthcare centre in South Eastern Nigeria. Health, 14(8), 833–852. https://doi.org/10.4236/health.148059
- Isiah, A. R., & Ofili, A. N. (2018). Knowledge and practice of standard precautions among healthcare workers in tertiary healthcare facilities in Nigeria. Nigerian Medical Journal, 59(2), 102–108. https://doi.org/10.4103/115-2613.267617
- Mills, E. J., et al. (2020). Exposure to occupational hazards among healthcare workers in low and medium-income countries: A scoping review. Occupational and Environmental Medicine, 77(6), 365–372. https://doi.org/10.1136/oemed-2019.106358
- World Health Organization. (2022). Occupational health: Health workers. Retrieved from https://www.who.int
- Aluko, O. O., Adebayo, A. E., Adebisi, T. F., Ewegbemi, M. K., Abidoye, A. T., & Popoola, B. F. (2016). Knowledge, attitudes and perceptions of occupational hazards and safety practices in Nigerian healthcare workers. BMC Research Notes, 9, Article 71. https://doi.org/10.1186/s13104-016-1880-2
- Desta, M., Ayenew, T., & Getie, M. (2018). Knowledge, practice and associated factors of infection prevention among healthcare workers in Debre Markos Referral Hospital, Northwest Ethiopia. BMC Health Services Research, 18, Article 465.
- Khamsa, C. A., Isunju, J. B., Babibako, H. M., & Ntoni, F. N. (2025). Adherence to standard infection prevention and control practices and factors associated among healthcare workers at Juba Teaching Hospital, Juba–South Sudan: A cross-sectional study. Journal of Health, Population and Nutrition, 44, Article 66. https://doi.org/10.1186/s41043-025-00807-4
- Endalew, S. M., Melake, B. A., Geremew, A., & Baraki, N. (2022). Healthcare workers’ compliance with standard precautions and associated factors in Bahir Dar Town, Ethiopia. Environmental Health Insights, 16, 1–11. https://doi.org/10.1177/11786302221117071
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- Aluko, O. O., Adebayo, A. E., Adebisi, T. F., Ewegbemi, M. K., Abidoye, A. T., & Popoola, B. F. (2016). Knowledge, attitudes and perceptions of occupational hazards and safety practices in Nigerian healthcare workers. BMC Research Notes, 9, 71. https://doi.org/10.1186/s13104-016-1880-2
- Chanda, M. (2025). Knowledge and attitude of nurses toward occupational hazards and safety practices at Kasama General Hospital, Kasama, Zambia. Medical Journal of Zambia, 52(5), 821-836.
Background:
Occupational hazards and safety practices are crucial components of workplace health, especially in the healthcare
sector. This study aimed to assess the knowledge of occupational hazards and the factors militating against adherence to
safety practices among staff of Primary Health Care Centres in Benin city, Nigeria.
Methodology:
A descriptive cross-sectional design was used with structured questionnaire administered to the entire one hundred
and ninety two staff in Oredo local government area. One hundred and eighty four filled questionnaire were retrieved
representing 95.8%. Data collected focused on level of knowledge of occupational hazards among the staff, the safety
practices engaged, and the factors hindering adherence to safety practices.
Results:
Findings revealed high knowledge of occupational hazards, inconsistent safety practices, with inadequate supply of
personal protective devices, inadequate staff, lack of enforcement of safety protocols, as well as inadequate training and
retraining of staff identified as militating factors against adherence to safety practices. Statistically significant relationship
exist between level of knowledge and the reported factors militating against safety practices.
Conclusion:
The study highlights the need for a holistic approach to improving adherence to safety practices.
Keywords :
Hazards, Occupational Health, Safety Practices, Primary Health.