Occupational Hazard Typologies and Exposure Patterns among Healthcare Workers in Primary and Secondary Healthcare Facilities in Calabar Metropolis, Nigeria

Abstract

This study examined occupational hazard typologies and exposure patterns among healthcare workers in primary and secondary healthcare facilities in Calabar Metropolis, Nigeria. The aim was to assess the level of hazard awareness, compliance with safety protocols, and the influence of facility type and exposure frequency on safety adherence. The objectives were to identify the types of occupational hazards encountered, determine exposure patterns across facility types, evaluate compliance with safety protocols, and examine factors influencing compliance. The study tested the null hypothesis that healthcare workers’ compliance with occupational safety protocols is not significantly influenced by hazard awareness, type of healthcare facility, or exposure to occupational hazards. A descriptive survey design was adopted, with a sample of 384 healthcare workers proportionally drawn from primary and secondary facilities using multistage and simple random sampling. Data were collected using structured questionnaires, interviews, focus group discussions, and field observations. Occupational hazards identified included biological (12.5 percent), chemical (9.9 percent), physical (10.9 percent), ergonomic (9.1 percent), and psychosocial risks (11.5 percent). Exposure patterns showed that average weekly hazard exposure ranged from 32 to 45 hours, with PPE usage and compliance varying by facility type and department. Binary Logistic Regression revealed that hazard awareness (high vs low: OR = 6.36, p = 0.000), facility type (private vs government: OR = 2.86, p = 0.003), and exposure frequency (OR = 1.08, p = 0.000) significantly predicted compliance with safety protocols, leading to the rejection of the null hypothesis. The study concluded that higher hazard awareness, private facility employment, and increased exposure enhance compliance. Recommendations include targeted training in government facilities, reinforcement of PPE use, and routine monitoring of compliance to reduce occupational risks and improve safety culture among healthcare workers.