Fatalistic beliefs, perceived effectiveness of preventive actions and hospital work safety behaviour in Nigeria

Hospital work situations concerning risks and accidents are complex and create a situation of uncertainty. Hence, there is a need to understand the underlying factors of workplace incidences and their prevention. This study investigates the link between fatalistic beliefs, perceived effectiveness of preventive actions and safety behaviour. Healthcare workers (<i>n</i> = 611) from public and private hospitals in three south-eastern states in Nigeria responded to scales measuring fatalistic beliefs, perceived effectiveness of preventive actions and safety behaviour. The results showed that fatalistic beliefs are negatively related to adoption of safety behaviour. Fatalistic individuals have low perceived effectiveness of preventive actions. Moreover, when individuals perceive that preventive actions are effective, they tend to adopt safer behaviour. An interaction analysis with age showed that the negative effect of fatalistic beliefs on perceived effectiveness of preventive actions is stronger when healthcare workers' age increases. Recommendations for effective preventive actions are discussed.