Occupational Health and Safety among Healthcare Professionals at the Ashanti Regional Hospital, Ghana
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Background
In Ghana, occupational health and safety (OHS) is vital in protecting healthcare professionals from workplace hazards such as infectious diseases, physical injuries, and psychological stress. These risks can negatively affect staff well-being and productivity. Strengthening OHS practices is essential not only for creating safer work environments but also for improving the quality of healthcare delivery. Despite its importance, OHS implementation in healthcare facilities remains a challenge.
Objective
This study assesses the OHS conditions at Ashanti Regional Hospital, Ghana. It identifies common hazards, evaluates healthcare workers’ knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP), and analyzes factors influencing these outcomes.
Methods
A cross-sectional study was conducted among healthcare professionals at the Ashanti Regional Hospital. Data were collected from 181 participants using a structured questionnaire. The Organizational Network Analysis mobile software ( https://ona.io/login ) was used for data collection, and statistical analysis was performed using Stata 17.0. Descriptive statistics were summarized as frequencies, percentages, and means. The Mann-Whitney U and Kruskal-Wallis tests were used to compare median KAP scores across groups at a 0.05 significance level with 95% confidence.
Results
The average age of participants was 37±6.0 years, with most being female and married. Over half held a diploma qualification. Median KAP scores were significantly higher among professionals who had attended safety training programs (p = 0.026, 0.033, and 0.050, respectively). Additionally, job position significantly influenced knowledge and attitude scores (p = 0.040 and 0.045).
Conclusion
The study highlights the importance of targeted safety training programs and department-specific interventions to enhance safety culture in healthcare settings. Healthcare workers who receive proper OHS training demonstrate lower exposure to occupational hazards, emphasizing the need for continuous and updated training. The study recommends improving safety training programs, reinforcing adherence to protective measures, and providing mental health support in the workplace to reduce risks and improve well-being of healthcare professionals.
