Factors contributing to occupational injuries amongst health care workers at a selected hospital in the Limpopo Province, South Africa

Abstract

Background: The occupational injuries amongst health care workers have emerged as one of the utmost challenges that health care workers face in hospitals. Purpose: The study aims to investigate factors contributing to occupational injuries amongst health care workers at a selected hospital in the Limpopo province, South Africa. Methodology: A quantitative approach using descriptive design was used for the study and a total population of 220 health care workers was used for sampling. A self-reporting questionnaire consisting of close- ended questions was administered to the appropriate participants. Collected data was coded and entered into a computer using the SPSS version 23.0. Results: A total of 201 health care workers responded in this study. There were more (64.6%) female than male (35.4%) participants. Among the environmental factors contributing to occupational injuries, results revealed that 71.6% of participants disagreed that the environment that they work at was safe. Some of the participants stipulated that they experienced personal factors that contributes to occupational injuries amongst health care workers such as stress (66.6%). Working for long hours was one of the work-related factors contributing to occupational injuries (58.4%). Conclusion: It was discovered that there was a plethora of factors that contributed to occupational injuries at the selected hospital. In conclusion, there is a high need to minimize the risk factors with the aim of preventing occupational injuries and promoting the safety of health care workers. One injury is one too many and without the help of health care workers, proper health care is compromised.