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Exposure to Occupational Hazards among Health Care Workers in Low- and Middle-Income Countries: A Scoping Review

Author

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  • Rajni Rai

    (School of Public Health, Curtin University, Bentley, WA 6102, Australia)

  • Sonia El-Zaemey

    (School of Public Health, Curtin University, Bentley, WA 6102, Australia)

  • Nidup Dorji

    (Faculty of Nursing and Public Health, Khesar Gyalpo University of Medical Sciences of Bhutan, Thimphu 11001, Bhutan)

  • Bir Doj Rai

    (Regional Livestock Development Centre Wangduephodrang, Wangduephodrang 14001, Bhutan)

  • Lin Fritschi

    (School of Public Health, Curtin University, Bentley, WA 6102, Australia)

Abstract

Health care workers are exposed to numerous workplace hazards. The implementation of safety measures in high-income countries has largely mitigated these risks. However, in many low- and middle- income countries (LMICs), resources to institute safety measures are lacking, increasing the risk of occupational exposures to these hazards. The aim of this scoping review is to map and synthesize the available research on occupational hazards among health care workers in LMICs, identify research gaps and inform policy. Searches for relevant articles were conducted in five electronic databases using a broad range of search terms. The inclusion criteria were: quantitative observational or experimental studies which examined exposure to one or more occupational hazards among health care workers in a LMCI; and the article was published in English in a peer-reviewed journal. A total of 99 studies met the inclusion criteria, and data were extracted from these studies. Large proportions of health care workers in LMICs were exposed to biological hazards (bloodborne pathogens, tuberculosis), psychosocial hazards (workplace violence, burnout, job dissatisfaction), ergonomic hazards (musculoskeletal complaints), and chemical hazards (exposure to latex and antineoplastic drugs). The implementation of risk reduction strategies was suboptimal. The majority of the literature was on biological hazards (48%), and research on other hazards was limited in comparison. Occupational safety needs to become a priority public health issue to protect health care workers in LMICs. More research is needed to understand the magnitude of the problem in these countries.

Suggested Citation

  • Rajni Rai & Sonia El-Zaemey & Nidup Dorji & Bir Doj Rai & Lin Fritschi, 2021. "Exposure to Occupational Hazards among Health Care Workers in Low- and Middle-Income Countries: A Scoping Review," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(5), pages 1-41, March.
  • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:18:y:2021:i:5:p:2603-:d:511132
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Jennifer A. Whitaker & Veriko Mirtskhulava & Maia Kipiani & Drew A Harris & Nino Tabagari & Russell R Kempker & Henry M Blumberg, 2013. "Prevalence and Incidence of Latent Tuberculosis Infection in Georgian Healthcare Workers," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 8(3), pages 1-8, March.
    2. Elizabeth Ayala & Andrés M Carnero, 2013. "Determinants of Burnout in Acute and Critical Care Military Nursing Personnel: A Cross-Sectional Study from Peru," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 8(1), pages 1-7, January.
    3. Nuwayhid, I.A., 2004. "Occupational health research in developing countries: A partner for social justice," American Journal of Public Health, American Public Health Association, vol. 94(11), pages 1916-1921.
    4. Rajnish Joshi & Arthur L Reingold & Dick Menzies & Madhukar Pai, 2006. "Tuberculosis among Health-Care Workers in Low- and Middle-Income Countries: A Systematic Review," PLOS Medicine, Public Library of Science, vol. 3(12), pages 1-16, December.
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    2. Adesi Michael & Owusu-Manu De-Graft & Boateng Frank & Ahiabu Moses, 2023. "Employee perspective on site accidents and corporate reputation in developing countries," Organization, Technology and Management in Construction, Sciendo, vol. 15(1), pages 50-62, January.
    3. Marta Regina Cezar-Vaz & Daiani Modernel Xavier & Clarice Alves Bonow & Jordana Cezar Vaz & Letícia Silveira Cardoso & Cynthia Fontella Sant’Anna & Valdecir Zavarese da Costa, 2022. "Domains of Physical and Mental Workload in Health Work and Unpaid Domestic Work by Gender Division: A Study with Primary Health Care Workers in Brazil," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(16), pages 1-23, August.

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