KLE UNIVERSITY

JAWAHARLAL NEHRU MEDICAL COLLEGE

NEHRU NAGAR, BELGAUM, KARNATAKA

ANNEXURE II

PROFORMA FOR REGISTRATION OF SUBJECT FOR DISSERTATION

1 NAME OF THE MR. SHRIKANT KOLI

CANDIDATE AND 1st YEAR, M.SC. IN HOSPITAL
ADDRESS ADMINISTRATION, J N MEDICAL
COLLEGE, BELGAUM - 590010

2 NAME OF THE JAWAHARLAL NEHRU MEDICAL

INSTITUTION COLLEGE, NEHRU NAGAR,
BELGAUM – 10

3 COURSE OF STUDY MASTER OF SCIENCE IN HOSPITAL

AND SUBJECT ADMINISTRATION
M.Sc.(H.A.)

4 DATE OF ADMISSION
TO COURSE 31st JULY 2013

5 TITLE OF THE TOPIC

“A STUDY ON OCCUPATIONAL
HAZARDS AMONG STAFF NURSES OF
KLES DR. PRABHAKAR KORE
CHARITABLE HOSPITAL, BELGAUM”

6 BRIEF RESUME OF THE INTENDED WORK :

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6.1 NEED FOR STUDY –

Nursing is an enviable and life saving profession in the

health care setting, but as applicable to other areas of human
endeavor, the practitioners are exposed to many occupational
hazards, some of which produce physical disabilities while
others if care is not taken, may lead to life threatening diseases
like HIV/AIDS.5

Signs of strain in nurses and nursing technicians are

manifested in various forms, depending on the task complexity.
Certainly, one of the most common strains is physical and
mental fatigue.2

Despite the technical and hierarchical differences, nurses

and nursing technicians are exposed to intense fatigue, given
the fundamental roles played in critical patient care. These
include rapid decision-making, and a keen sense of
responsibility in determining priority actions; the resolution of
complex problems; continuous reorganizing of activities as a
result of frequent interruptions; management of large volumes
of variable data due to simultaneous treatments; a wide variety
of interventions required by critical clinical conditions.2

An important national assessment of occupational health

and safety issues comes from the 2001 American Nurses

2
Association (ANA) Online Health and Safety Survey of nurses
across the United States (Houle, 2001). About 4,800
respondents completed this survey, which encompassed topics
such as (1) experience of a work-related injury or illness; (2)
injury reporting behavior; (3) awareness and concerns about
workplace hazards; and (4) availability of safety equipment and
devices.1
Health care professionals who have occupational
exposure to blood are at risk for acquiring blood – borne
infections. There are more than 20 blood – borne diseases, but
those of primary significance to health care professionals are
hepatitis due to either the hepatitis B virus (HBV) or hepatitis C
virus (HCV) and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV).4

The British Institute for Protection of Health in 2008

reported that 68% of these work-related accidents, during the
years 2000-2007, had occurred among nurses when handling
unused and dry needle sticks. It also states that one third of
these injuries took place inside hospitals, not clinics, and
trauma and emergency wards.6

A report by the World Health Organization states that

some 16000 cases of Hepatitis C, 66000 Hepatitis B, and 1000
HIV cases are registered following injurious professional contact
with needle sticks and other sharp and cutter objects by
healthcare staff.6

According to Cesena et al11 mechanical hazards in the

hospitals include LBP from manual lifting (patients in

3
particular) which makes nursing one of the occupations most
affected by LBP. Describing the extent of musculoskeletal injury
in nurses, survey showed that nurses lost 750,000 days a year
as a result of back pain.3

Nurses are the largest workforce of the health care

industry. The nursing professionals are the primary care
provider in the hospital. It is due to this responsibility, the
nursing professionals are more prone to occupational hazards.
Thus it is important to have adequate knowledge and practices
about hazardous, prevalence and the universal precautions of
occupational hazards among nursing health care professionals.

6.2 REVIEW OF LITERATURE :

A descriptive survey on “The level of Knowledge

Regarding Occupational Hazards Among Nurses” was carried in
Abeokuta, Ogun State, Nigeria in 2010. A study sample of 1,200
respondents from ten public and two private health facilities
were selected. A validated structured questionnaire was used to
collect the information. The result revealed that, 96.2% of the
respondents knew that the profession is prone to occupational
hazard, as expressed by 88.6% of the respondents; back injury
is the commonest hazard, followed by neck and back pain as
attested to by 84.8% of the nurses. The most prominent
predisposing factor is prolonged standing as viewed by 84.5% of
the sample. Avoidance of lifting patients and heavy equipment,
among others, is the most notable way of avoiding occupational

4
hazards as attested to 90.5% respondents. Nursing
professionals should therefore make conscious and concerted
efforts to minimize avoidable occupational hazards in the course
of discharging their duties, so that their health would not be
jeopardized.5

A descriptive cross sectional study on “Occupational Health

Hazards in ICU Nursing Staff” was carried out with 26 nurses
and 29 nursing technicians at public hospital in the federal
District, Brazil in 2010. A likert - type work related symptom
scale (WRSS) was used to evaluate the presence of physical,
psychological and social risks. Result showed that, as a
workplace, ICUs can cause work health hazards, mostly
physical, to nurses and nursing technicians due to frequent use
of physical and strength to provide care, while psychological
and social hazards occur to a lesser degree. It was concluded
that, a plausible explanation may be the adaption of workers to
the existing working conditions.2

A cross – sectional study on “Prevalence and Risk Factors

of Low Back Pain Among Nurses in a Typical Murtala
Mohammad Specialist Hospital (MMHS) Kano, North-West,
Nigeria” was carried out in 2010. A department to department
enquiry was conducted using a self structured valid and reliable
questionnaire for 408 respondents. The result showed that, the
12 month of prevalence of LBP was 300 (73.53%) , LBP was
more prevalent among female nurses (68%) than the male

5
nurses (32%). It was also associated with occupational hazard
and poor knowledge of back care ergonomics. The prevalence of
LBP in MMHS is comparable to levels recorded abroad.
However, in this study LBP did not feature as a major cause of
sickness absence in the work place. It was concluded that, poor
back care ergonomics is a major predisposing factor of LBP.3

A survey on “Occupational Health and Safety Among

Nurses in the Philippines” was developed through a partnership
between researchers at the university of Washington and the
university of California, los Angeles, with the Philippine Nurses
Association (PIA) and Occupational Health Nurses Association of
the Philippines (OHNAP). A sample size of 665 respondents were
participated for this study during the Philippines Nurses
Association Convention in 2007. Measures included four
categories: work related demographics, occupational
injury/illness, reporting behavior and safety concerns. Result
showed that, approximately 40% had experienced at least one
injury or illness in the past year, and 80% had experienced
back pain. Most of them who had injury but they didn’t report
it. The top ranking concern that are similar to those
encountered by nurses in other countries. Hence, further
research should examine the work organization factors that
contribute to these concerns and strengthen policies to promote
health and safety.1

A study on “Knowledge, Attitude and Practices among

health care workers on needle stick injuries” was carried out at

6
500 bed – Kathmandu Medical College and Teaching Hospital in
Nepal. Total of 70 nurses and Para – medical staffs were
surveyed with A 15 – item questionnaire in may 2003. Result
showed that, 4% and 61% of health care professionals
respectively, were unaware of the fact that hepatitis C can be
transmitted by needle stick injuries. 74% had a history of
needle stick injuries of which 21% were reported. Only 23%
were in the habit of using gloves for phlebotomy procedures.
79% were of the impression that needle should be recapped
after use. Only 23% were negative for HBsAg, anti – HCV and
anti – HIV check up. Whereas 77% did not know about their
immune status. 60% had been vaccinated against hepatitis B. It
was concluded that, Knowledge of healthcare workers about the
risk associated with needle stick injuries and use of preventive
measures was inadequate.4

A descriptive study on “An Investigation into Occupational

Hazards Faced by Nurses in Pediatrics Hospitals of Tehran
University of Medical Sciences” was carried out in Tehran, Iran
in 2006 – 2009. A sample size of 514 staff nurses were
participated for this study and data were collected through self
– administered questionnaire. Result showed that, the study
population reported 134 needle stick injuries. The incidence
rate of NSI was 26.07%. In most cases, needles (40.3%) and vein
catheters (28.36%) were accounted for injuries. IV access
(31.33%) and recapping of needles (20.9%) were most common
7
action resulted to exposure. It was concluded that, the
incidence rate of NSI among HCWs working in pediatrics wards
was less than those of other studies in different countries. This
might be related to inadequate reporting, and also our results
emphasize the importance of training and education of nursing
personnel for reporting needle stick injuries.6

6.3 STATEMENT OF PROBLEM:

A descriptive cross – sectional study to identify the various

occupational hazards, level of Knowledge, and Practices

among staff nurses working in KLES Dr. Prabhar Kore

Charitable Hospital, Belgaum, Karnataka, India.

6.4 OBJECTIVES OF THE STUDY:

1. To assess the level of Knowledge among staff nurses on

occupational hazards.
2. To study various occupational hazards among staff nurses
3. To find out the precautionary measures practiced among
staff nurses.

6.5 OPERATIONAL DEFINITIONS :

 Staff Nurses: In this study, it refers to the all registered

nurses working in all the units of KLES Dr. Prabhar Kore

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 Charitable Hospital, Belgaum.

 Occupational hazards: It may be defined as working

condition that can lead to illness or death. Often, people in
job which pose a high level of risk are paid more than
similar but more risky job to compensate for the danger
involved.

 Precautionary measures: It refers to an action taken to

prevent something unwanted taking place or an action
taken to avoid a dangerous or undesirable event.

 Assess: It is a statistical measurement of Knowledge of

nursing healthcare professionals regarding occupational
hazards as observed by close ended questionnaire.

 Knowledge: It refers to correct response of staff nurses to

the knowledge items in the close ended questionnaire
regarding occupational hazards.

 Practices: In this study practices includes; universal

precautions, specific protection like wearing gloves in
patient care, self protection while handling the sharp
instruments and safety measures to be followed after
occupational hazards.

6.6 PROJECT OUTCOME:

9
 This study will help the nursing professionals about the
preventive practices of occupational hazards and hence, help to
improve their theoretical knowledge and practical skills.

7 MATERIALS AND METHODS :

7.1 SOURCE OF DATA COLLECTION :

 Primary source:

Staff Nurses.

 Secondary source:

Review of Literature.

 Research Approach:

A descriptive cross – sectional approach is adopted for

this study.

 Research Design:

Descriptive cross – sectional design.

 Research Setting:

All the wards of KLES Dr. Prabhakar Kore Charitable

Hospital, Belgaum.

 Population:

Staff nurses working in the hospital as described above.

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 Sample size:

One hundred fifty (150) staff nurses.

 Sample technique:

Convenience Sampling.

CRITERIA FOR THE SAMPLE SELECTION

Inclusion Criteria:

a. All registered staff nurses who are who are working in

KLES Dr. Prabhakar Kore Charitable Hospital,

Belgaum.

b. Those who are willing to participate in the study.

Exclusion Criteria:

a. Nurses with managerial responsibilities.

b. Nurses on leave.

7.2 METHOD OF DATA COLLECTION :

TOOL
Structured questionnaire: It consists of four sections;
Section 1: It consists of items related with selected

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 demographic variables such as age, gender, qualification,
designation and years of service.
Section 2: It consists of items related to the various
occupational hazards among staff nurses.
Section 3: It consists of the item related to level of
knowledge among staff nurses on occupational hazards.
Section 4: It consists of items related to the precautionary
measures practiced among staff nurses.
DATA COLLECTION METHOD
 Step-I = The investigator procures permission from
respective authority to conduct the study.
 Step-II = Approaching the participants.
 Step-III = Investigator introduces himself to the
participants and notifies about his aim, objectives and steps
of study.
 Step-IV = Conduct test using structured questionnaire.
7.3 PLANS FOR DATA ANALYSIS:

The data will be analyzed with appropriate statistical

method and will be presented in the form of figures and
tables.

7.4 DOES YOUR STUDY REQUIRE ANY INVESTIGATION

OR INTERVENTION TO CONDUCT ON PATIENTS OR
OTHER HUMAN OR ANIMALS? IF SO PLEASE DESCRIBE
BRIEFLY.

12
 - No –

7.5 HAS ETHICAL CLEARANCE BEEN OBTAINED FROM

YOUR INSTITUTION REGARDING 7.4?

- No -

8 BIBLIOGRAPHY:

1) A.B de Castro, RN Suzanne L. Cabera, Glibert C. Gee.et.

all “ occupationl health hazards and safety among nurses
in the philippines.” AAOHN J. Author manuscript. 2009
April; vol. 4 ; page : 149- 157.

2) Helena Eri Shimizu, Djalma Ticiani Counto, Edgar

Merchan Hamann and Anadergh Barbosa Barnco “
occupational health hazards in ICU nursing staff” ,
nursing research and practice vol. 2010. Id 849169, 6
pages.

3) Sikiru L , Hanif S “ prevalence and risk factors of low back

pain among nurses in typical Nigerian hospital” , journal
of African health science vol 10 no 1 march 2010.

4) Gurubacharya DL, KC Mathura, Karki DB. “Knowledge,

13
 Attitude and Practice among health care workers on
needle-stick injuries”. Kathmandu University Medical
Journal (2003) vol.1, No.2, Page No. 91 – 94.

5) A M Amosu , A M Degun, N O S Atulomah, M F Olanerwju

et. all “the level of knowledge regarding occupational
hazards among nurses in Abeokuta, Ogun State, Nigeria.
Journal of biological sciences, vol. 3, p. 586 – 590, 2011.

6) Shadi Razei, Narmala Rabi Rad, Zahra Tamizi et. all “ an

investigation into occupational hazards faced by nurses in
padiatrics hospitals of Tehran university of medical
sciences, 2006 – 2009. IJCBNM. 2013 VOL .1 page 200 –
207.

9 NAME OF MR. SHRIKANT KOLI

CANDIDATE AT/P – HALYAL, ATHANI, BELGAUM.

SIGNATURE

10 REMARKS OF The study is feasible and investigator has a

THE GUIDE genuine interest.

11 11.1 DR. DEEPTI M K MD

NAME AND ASST. PROFESSOR

DESIGNATION DEPT. OF COMMUNITY MEDICINE

OF THE GUIDE JAWAHARLAL NEHRU MEDICAL COLLEGE,

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 BELGAUM – 10.

SIGNATURE
11.2 DR. ANIL P HOGADE MD, MBA

HEAD OF THE COURSE COORDINATOR

DEPARTMENT DEPT. OF HOSPITAL ADMINISTRATION

JAWAHARLAL NEHRU MEDICAL COLLEGE,

BELGAUM – 10.

SIGNATURE

11.3 DR.GANGA PILLI MD, DCP, DTM

CHAIRMAN, HOD, DEPARTMENT OF PATHOLOGY,

ETHICAL JAWAHARLAL NEHRU MEDICAL COLLEGE,

CLEARANCE BELGAUM – 10.

COMMITTEE
SIGNATURE

11.4 DR. R. S. MUDHOL MS, D.L.O, MBA

DIRECTOR OF DIRECTOR

THE DEPT. OF HOSPITAL ADMINISTRATION

DEPARTMENT JAWAHARLAL NEHRU MEDICAL COLLEGE,

15
 BELGAUM – 10.

SIGNATURE

12 REMARKS OF The above mentioned information is correct

THE PRINCIPAL and I recommend the same for approval.

DR. ASHOK S GODHI MS, FICS

NAME OF THE PRINCIPAL

PRINCIPAL JAWAHARLAL NEHRU MEDICAL COLLEGE,

BELGAUM – 10.

SIGNATURE

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