Occupational Well-Being and Safety Among Healthcare Workers in Tanzania.

Background Occupational well-being and safety are critical determinants of healthcare workers’ performance, motivation, and retention. In Tanzania and other low- and middle-income countries, healthcare workers face multiple occupational hazards—including biological, psychosocial, ergonomic, and chemical risks—alongside mental health challenges that were exacerbated during the COVID-19 pandemic. This study assessed the well-being and safety of healthcare workers by examining occupational injuries, infection prevention and control (IPC) measures, laboratory safety, and exposure to hazardous chemicals across selected regions in Tanzania. Methods A cross-sectional prospective and quantitative study was conducted in 32 health facilities across five regions in Tanzania from 2020 to 2022. Data were collected using a structured Google Forms survey. Cleaned Excel data were exported into SPSS v21 for analysis. Descriptive statistics summarized injuries, infections, and safety measures. ANOVA assessed regional differences at a 0.05 significance level. Ethical clearance was obtained from Cavendish University Uganda. Results Needle stick injuries were most common (36.6%), followed by slips (26.8%) and road traffic injuries (19.7%). Kigoma recorded the highest number of injuries (31 cases). IPC scores differed significantly across regions (F(4,27) = 4.728, p = 0.005), with Kilimanjaro, Mtwara, and Tanga performing better than Lindi. Basic laboratory safety also showed significant disparities (F(4,27) = 19.222, p < 0.001), with Lindi consistently underperforming. Exposure to hazardous chemicals varied significantly (F(4,27) = 3.618, p = 0.017), with Tanga showing the lowest and most variable scores, while Kigoma exhibited the highest adherence to chemical safety measures. Conclusion