Assessment of Knowledge, Attitude, Practice and Associated Factors towards Occupational Health and Safety among Medical Laboratory Professionals in Selected Government Health Centers in Addis Ababa.
No Thumbnail Available
Date
2021-03
Authors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Addis Abeba University
Abstract
Background:Current knowledge of laboratory workforce on safe working environment leaves
much space for improvement and need to be explored further. Common laboratory risks and
hazards are numerous but can be minimized with better knowledge, attitude and simple safe
working practices. Worker absence due to Work related injuries is an important phenomenon
across all countries, industries, and occupations.
Objective: To assess knowledge, attitude, practice and associated factors towards occupational
health and safety among medical laboratory professionals in selected government health centers
in Addis Ababa from January to May 2020.
Methods:A cross sectional study wasconducted between January to May 2020 among 333 MLPs
working in selected government health centers in Addis Ababa. Data was collected using selfadministered
structured questionnaire; it is also supported by in-depth interview andphysical
observation checklist. Data entry, analysis was performed by SPSS version 23 software. Level of
statistical significance was set at p<0.05
Results: Of the 333 participants, 171(51.4%) were female. The participant’s age ranged between
20 and 50 years. The mean knowledge score of respondents was 4.76 ± (SD 1.19) and according
to this evaluation 112(33.6%) MLPs were categorized as having high level of knowledge,
161(48.3%) moderate level and 60(18%) had low level of knowledge on occupational health &
safety (OHS). Mean attitude score was 17.95± (SD 3.32) and mean practice score was 26.83 ±
(SD 5.64). There were strong association between training on bio-safety, work experience,
marital status, monthly income, risk assessment training and knowledge score (p<0.001).
Likewise, orientation on OHS (p<0.009) and risk assessment training (p<0.049) was
significantly associated with attitude score .In addition, work experience (p<0.001), training on
OHS (p<0.001)and risk assessment (p<0.004), monthly income (p<0.022), educational level
(p<0.024) and orientation (p<0.037)were significantly associated with practice score of
laboratory professionals.
Conclusion: Orientation on OHSissue during first employment, Training on OHS or Bio-Safety
training and risk assessment training should be given for MLPs to boost as well as get better their
knowledge and practice on occupational health and safety at working environment.
Description
Keywords
Knowledge,attitude, practice andOHS.