Occupational Risk and Hazards among Nurses and Health Workers in Federal Psychiatric Hospital, Calabar

Though every workplace possess its peculiar risk, psychiatric setting is composed of patients with unpredictable mental state and whose behavior can change to adversity on his/her attendance at any time. Consequently, healthcare workers in this healthcare setting are faced with diverse problems resulting from threat, physical confrontation, verbal and physical assault, poisoning and other potential dangers. This study however was embarked upon to ascertain the major hazards and risks faced by nurses and other health care providers in Federal Psychiatric Hospital, and proffer useful recommendations on the possible ways of cushioning their effects. Six (6) research questions were raised and three (3) hypotheses developed to give direction to the study. Related literatures were adequately reviewed. Health Belief Model and the Theory of Reasoned Action were the theoretical framework used as these theories were found related to the study. The study adopted a descriptive survey research design; the respondents were conveniently selected from all the clinical departments of the hospital for the study. A well validated and reliable questionnaire was used as an instrument for data collection. Data collected were presented using frequency table and charts, and were analyzed using simple percentages and weighted mean scores. The research hypotheses were tested using Pearson Chi-square statistical analysis significant at 0.05. Findings revealed the regular hazards encountered by health care providers in Federal Psychiatric Hospital, Calabar to include noise, verbal and physical aggression, darkness (lack of light), poor lighting system, and attack from patients. The level of exposure of Health care workers in the hospital to hazards and/or risks was moderate. Health assistants were the ones with the highest level of exposure (75.0%), followed by nurses (64.7%) while the least exposed among the cadres of health care workers were pharmacists (16.7%). However, exposure to workplace hazard has significant impact and/or effect on the health status and clinical output of health care workers in the hospital (p