ภาวะสุขภาพตามความเสี่ยงจากการทำงานของพยาบาลวิชาชีพโรงพยาบาลระดับทุติยภูมิ จังหวัดแม่ฮ่องสอน

Abstract

Registered nurses confront many occupational health hazards which can result in risk of occupational illness or injury. This descriptive study aimed to examine health status related to risk at work among 170 registered nurses in secondary hospitals in Mae Hong Son Province. Data were collected during January to February 2014. The study instrument was a questionnaire of health status related to risk at work which had a validity index of 1.00 as confirmed by a panel of experts. The reliability of this questionnaire was tested and yielded an acceptable level (0.81-0.86). Data analysis was performed using descriptive statistics. Results demonstrated that the most common illnesses possibly related to work, were musculoskeletal pain, including neck pain (82.94%), shoulder pain (80.59%), and back pain (75.88%); stress resulting from having to rush during work (73.53%); eye strain (59.41%); and skin irritation (46.47%) In addition, there was a hepatitis B incidence rate of 3.53%. Work-related injury incidence rate during the past three months was 52.35%, of which 99.46% were non-fatal injuries. Injury causation related to material/equipment impact or collision (54.84%) and sharp equipment (33.87%). The injured body parts included hand/fingers (35.60%) and leg/knee/calf (24.61%). The results of this study indicate that occupational and environmental health nurses and relevant health personnel should recognize the importance of health status related to risk at work among registered nurses. Further, information dissemination regarding health risk at work should be provided to registered nurses to increase their awareness and promote health protective behaviors which can reduce occupational illness and injuries among registered nurses.