Psychosocial Hazards: Awareness, Occurrence and Impact on Selected Health Workers in Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University Teaching Hospital (Coouth) Amaku-Awka, Anambra State, Nigeria


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.

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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.

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