Health Risk Perception and Exposure Among Nurses in Healthcare Facilities of Central Senatorial Areas in Bayelsa State

Introduction: Nursing is a profession whereby trained personnel (nurses) provide care for patients. Nurses are considered as the backbone of healthcare, However, during the fulfilment of their duties and responsibilities, nurses are continuously exposed to occupational dangers and risks which affect their health and nursing quality. The objective of this study was to investigate health risk perception and exposure among nurses in healthcare facilities of senatorial areas of Bayelsa state. Methodology: A descriptive cross sectional survey design was adopted to investigate the health risk perception and exposure among 289 nurses in healthcare facility of central senatorial area in bayelsa state. Data was collected using a well-structured questionnaire. with a reliability coefficient of 0.70 and analyzed with the aid of the statistical package for social sciences (SPSS) version 25. Descriptive results were presented in frequencies and percentages using tables and charts. Inferential statistics of binary logistic regression and chi-square test were employed in analyzing the hypotheses at 0.05 alpha level. Result: The study found that the majority of respondents had a high level of health risk perception (57.4%) and exposure (60.4%). There was no statistical significant difference found in health risk perception of the respondents based on years of work experience and educational status. Respondents in the casualty unit had higher health risk perception [OR:4.606 (95% CI= 1.487-14.265)]. Those with 6-10 years of work experience had higher health risk exposure [OR:0.012 (95% CI= 0.002-0.065)]. Respondents with B.ScN were also had higher health risk exposure [OR:1.597 (95% CI= 0.823-3.101)]. Respondents in theatre and casualty units had high health risk exposure. The result revealed that respondents in the theatre (P<0.01) and casualty (P<0.05) units did significantly exhibited high level of health risk exposure. The odds ratio revealed that respondents in theatre are 0.123 times had high health risk exposure while respondents in the casualty unit are 0.050 times exhibited high level of health risk exposure. Conclusion: The study concluded that nurses are aware of the health risks they can be exposed to in the course of carrying out their duties, hence the need to encourage them to ensure adherence to safety and protection measures to reduce health risks exposures. The study recommended that hospital management of various health care institutions should provide adequate and complete PPE, to encourage safety practices and reduce occupational health risks.