Introduction

Nurses being the largest category of health care workers,have a critical role to play in the healthcare delivery systemThey are at the highest risk of exposure to occupational health hazards among healthcare workers. They routinely come into contact with blood and body fluids, chemicals, radiations etc which are very hazardous to their health. Knowledge of occupational health hazards plays an important role in the prevention of occupational injuries and diseases. The objective of this study was to determine the level of knowledge about occupational health hazards among hospital nurses.

Method

A cross–sectional descriptive study design was employed for this study. It was carried out in one of the public hospitals of Varanasi district of Eastern Uttar Pradesh, India.

Random sampling technique was used and the sample size was 95 staff nurses. A structured questionnaire was used to collect data which included thesocio–demographic variables andquestions to assess the level of knowledge of respondents about occupational health  hazards that they experienced in their workplace.

Result

            The overall level of knowledge on occupational health hazards was average, with a mean score of 69.4 percent. Sociodemographic variables like age, marital status, professional qualification and duration of work experience had a significant influence on the level of knowledge of the respondents regarding occupational health hazards. The respondents had more knowledge about blood–borne infections, workplace stress and least about musculoskeletal injury and equipment injury. Most of them had experienced needle stick injury and musculoskeletal injury and rarely experienced equipment injury and fall.

Conclusion

This study suggests that that nurses face considerable risk of occupational health hazards. The overall level of knowledge among hospital nurses was average and there is need to promote awareness among them regarding occupational hazards and its safety measures. Regular training and the educational programme should be organized to enhance occupational safety. There is also need to develop and introduce policies and guidelines or strategies on all aspects related to occupational safety that may enhance nurses’ health and well–being and promote quality patient care.