DETERMINANTS OF SELF-PROTECTION ACTIVITIES AGAINST OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH HAZARDS ASSOCIATED WITH NURSING PRACTICE IN MADONNA UNIVERSITY TEACHING HOSPITAL, ELELE, RIVERS STATE.
Abstract
Standardized precautionary guidelines are put in place to safeguard nurses who are considered one of the most endangered of health professionals that are exposed to health hazards of working in the hospital environment. This study was carried out to find out the determinants of self-protection activities against health hazards among nurses working in Madonna University Teaching Hospital, Elele, Rivers State. A descriptive survey design was used. The target population was 90 nurses engaged in the Hospital. A self- structured questionnaire was used to solicit information; Data obtained was analyzed using frequency distribution tables and percentages. It was found that 63 (78.75%) of nurses were capable of protecting themselves and were adopting health protection behaviors. 22 nurses (27.5%) identified unavailability of Personal protective equipment, 44( 55%) identified poor allocation of resources, 5(6.25%) identified insufficient knowledge on how to use devices and techniques, 9(11.25%) identified lack of proper training, and 50(62.5%) identified poor hospital policies. 53(66.25%) were aware of occupational health hazards associated with nursing practice. It was recommended that further studies to assess practice of standard precaution should be carried out, and comparative study can be made between findings in other settings.
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