Self-reported environmental health risks of nurses working in hospital surgical units.

AIM: This study investigated the occupational health risk factors among nurses who work in public hospital surgical units.

BACKGROUND: Nursing has a significant place in healthcare systems around the world. Surgical units are environments with certain risks, especially because of the possibility of exposure to various chemical, biologic or physical hazards.

METHODS: This study was conducted with 229 nurses who were working in the 11 surgery units of a big university hospital. In this cross-sectional study, a personal information form and an occupational risk factors scale were administered to respondents. We performed factor and reliability analyses for the scale; the overall reliability of the 41 items was α = 0.924, and the factor analysis found the scale was feasible.

RESULTS: Biologic and psychological risk factor levels were found to be high. Physical, chemical, ergonomic and radiation risk factor levels were moderate. The general occupational risk factor score was moderate. Nurses working night duty were confronted with physical and psychological risk factors at a higher rate compared with those working in the daytime.

CONCLUSION: Reported occupational health problems by nurses were correlated with the descriptive properties of the nurses including age, sex, marital status, education level, working hours, mode of working and status of occupational health and safety training.

IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING: Nurses experience different occupational risks. If these risks are identified, healthier working environments can be provided to the nurses by taking necessary precautions.

IMPLICATIONS FOR SOCIAL POLICY: The health care provided by nurses who work in a healthy environment would be more efficient and of better quality, which will result in better economic and social outcomes for individual and communities.