title: Occupational health hazards among healthcare workers in Kampala, Uganda.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To assess the occupational health hazards faced by healthcare workers and the mitigation measures.
  
  
  METHODS
  We conducted a cross-sectional study utilizing quantitative data collection methods among 200 respondents who worked in 8 major health facilities in Kampala.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Overall, 50.0% of respondents reported experiencing an occupational health hazard. Among these, 39.5% experienced biological hazards while 31.5% experienced nonbiological hazards. Predictors for experiencing hazards included not wearing the necessary personal protective equipment (PPE), working overtime, job related pressures, and working in multiple health facilities. Control measures to mitigate hazards were availing separate areas and containers to store medical waste and provision of safety tools and equipment.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Healthcare workers in this setting experience several hazards in their workplaces. Associated factors include not wearing all necessary protective equipment, working overtime, experiencing work related pressures, and working in multiple facilities. Interventions should be instituted to mitigate the hazards. Specifically PPE supply gaps, job related pressures, and complacence in adhering to mitigation measures should be addressed.
authors: Department of Disease Control and Environmental Health, School of Public Health, College of Health Sciences, Makerere University, P.O. Box 7072, Kampala, Uganda.
authors: Rawlance
authors: 0000-0001-9263-557X
authors: R
authors: Ndejjo
authors: Department of Disease Control and Environmental Health, School of Public Health, College of Health Sciences, Makerere University, P.O. Box 7072, Kampala, Uganda.
authors: Geofrey
authors: 0000-0002-1234-1553
authors: G
authors: Musinguzi
authors: Department of Environmental Health Sciences, College of Public Health, University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602, USA.
authors: Xiaozhong
authors: X
authors: Yu
authors: Department of Disease Control and Environmental Health, School of Public Health, College of Health Sciences, Makerere University, P.O. Box 7072, Kampala, Uganda.
authors: Esther
authors: E
authors: Buregyeya
authors: Department of Disease Control and Environmental Health, School of Public Health, College of Health Sciences, Makerere University, P.O. Box 7072, Kampala, Uganda.
authors: David
authors: D
authors: Musoke
authors: Department of Environmental Health Sciences, College of Public Health, University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602, USA.
authors: Jia-Sheng
authors: JS
authors: Wang
authors: Department of Disease Control and Environmental Health, School of Public Health, College of Health Sciences, Makerere University, P.O. Box 7072, Kampala, Uganda.
authors: Abdullah Ali
authors: AA
authors: Halage
authors: Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, College of Public Health, University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602, USA.
authors: Christopher
authors: C
authors: Whalen
authors: Department of Disease Control and Environmental Health, School of Public Health, College of Health Sciences, Makerere University, P.O. Box 7072, Kampala, Uganda.
authors: William
authors: W
authors: Bazeyo
authors: Department of Environmental Health Sciences, College of Public Health, University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602, USA.
authors: Phillip
authors: P
authors: Williams
authors: Department of Disease Control and Environmental Health, School of Public Health, College of Health Sciences, Makerere University, P.O. Box 7072, Kampala, Uganda.
authors: John
authors: J
authors: Ssempebwa
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D002947:Cities; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006282:Health Personnel; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016272:Occupational Health / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012449:Safety; D014454:Uganda; D017132:Workplace; D055815:Young Adult