Nurses Perceptions of Occupational Hazards and Safety Practices in Medical City Hospitals

Abstract

Health and safety in the workplace are critical components in healthcare institutions. Unsafe working conditions are among the causes of poor quality of care and occupational burnout among health care providers. This study aimed to assess nurses perceptions towards occupational health and safety practices and its associated factors. A descriptive cross-sectional study conducted in Medical City Hospitals during the period from November 1^st  2022 to March 1^st 2023. By a simple random sample consisting of (275) nurses is selected through the probability sampling method. Data were collected using the self-reporting method and analyzed by applying descriptive and inferential statistical analysis. The results indicated that the average age of the respondents was 23.57 years, female nurses (66.9%), working in surgical wards (40.7%), nursing diploma graduates (50.2%), more than 10 years experience and (32.4%) attended more than two courses. The results showed that (74.5%) of the nurses were high perceptions. There are statistically significant differences in the nurses' perception according workplace, educational level, and years of experience (p = 0.05). Indeed, more years of experience, training in occupational dangers and safety procedures for nursing staff, ongoing education, and the use of young energy will aid in the development of perceptions of nurses. Hospitals should post specific instructions on the walls in various places where all nurses can see them with a focus on the fundamental rules of work in occupational health and safety practices in order to improve their perceptions of the guidelines based on occupational health and safety practices.