NURSES' PERCEPTION OF OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY DURING THE COVID 19 PANDEMIC

Authors : Beyhan Alibasic, Ayşe Dost

Pages : 109-126

Doi:10.47115/jshs.1220954

View : 40 | Download : 58

Publication Date : 2024-04-29

Article Type : Research Paper

Abstract :Aim: This study aims to determine nurses\' perceptions of occupational safety during the COVID-19 pandemic. Method: This study was conducted based on cross-sectional research principles. The sample of the study includes 160 nurses working in three public hospitals in Sakarya province. The research data were collected through a questionnaire consisting of four parts about nurses\' personal characteristics, working conditions, occupational diseases/complaints and occupational accidents/injuries, and occupational safety measures taken during the pandemic period. Results: In the study, more than half of the participants (66.4%) had COVID-19 disease, (71.3%) did not find the personal protective equipment of sufficient quality, (68.8%) the working environment was not adequately ventilated, (67.5%) stated that orientation training was not given to nurses assigned from different fields. The mean score for “occupational diseases and complaints” of participants was 29.4±16.2, and the mean score for “support given to employees” by the institution during the pandemic was 4.1±2.5. Nurses who worked continuously during the day shift did not have an accident at work, did not have COVID-19, studied occupational safety during the pandemic, and did not plan to leave jobs were found to have a significantly higher level of occupational safety measures than other nurses (p<0.05). Conclusions and Recommendations: It was detected that more than half of the nurses were considering leaving their jobs during the pandemic, the majority of them were not satisfied with the “employee health and safety policies” and found the “occupational safety measures” taken to be partially sufficient. Nurses face extraordinary challenges when responding to unique, uncertain, and ever-changing situations around the world. Appropriate and effective strategies must be identified and implemented to protect nurses. Regulations to improve nurses\' working conditions can reduce health risks and help strengthen healthcare response during a pandemic.
Keywords : Hemşire, İş sağlığı, İş güvenliği, Pandemi