Assessment Of Safety Consciousness and Practices of Medical Laboratory Workers in Hospitals and Laboratories In Port Harcourt Metropolis

Abstract

This study investigated the safety consciousness and practices of medical laboratory workers in hospitals and laboratories in Port Harcourt metropolis. The descriptive survey design was used for the study. The population of the study comprised of four hundred and seventy-five (475) laboratory professionals working in selected medical laboratories in Port Harcourt metropolis, with a sample size of 217 laboratory professionals which was determined using the Taro Yamane formula, and selected using the multistage sampling technique. A structured questionnaire was used for data collection and analysis was done using descriptive statistics such as percentage, mean and ANOVA. The finding of the study showed that there was no significant difference between age and consciousness to general laboratories safety among medical laboratory workers [F (3, 210) = 2.002; p>0.05]; there was significant difference between educational qualification and consciousness to general laboratories safety among medical laboratory workers [F (2, 210) = 1.936; p>0.05]; there was significant difference between years of experience and consciousness to general laboratories safety among medical laboratory workers in hospitals and laboratories in Port Harcourt metropolis [F (3, 210) = 1.473; p>0.05]; amongst others. The study concluded that medical laboratory workers in Port Harcourt metropolis have good Knowledge, consciousness and practice towards laboratory safety. However continuous training is required. It was recommended that, laboratory technicians should not relent in their effort to get enlightenment on the occupational hazards associated with their job by continuous search for relevant information through different channels, this will enable them get acquainted with emerging hazards and how to control them.

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