Health and safety status of waste workers in hospitals of Kerman University of Medical Sciences: Using structural equation model
Journal of Behdasht dar Arseh (i.e., Health in the Field),
Vol. 12 No. 2 (1403),
2 November 2024
,
Page 12-22
https://doi.org/10.22037/jhf.v12i2.45321
Abstract
Background and Aims: Hospital staff and in particular waste management personnel are continuously exposed to risks associated with waste. This study aimed to examine the health and safety of waste staff in hospitals affiliated with Kerman University of Medical Sciences and to identify the key factors influencing their health.
Materials and Methods: The present descriptive-analytical study was conducted during 2022 and 2023. A questionnaire was utilized to assess the health and safety of waste staff, and the data were analyzed using SPSS16. The most important factor influencing the health of waste workers was examined using Structural Equation Modeling in SmartPLS v2. All stages of this research were conducted in accordance with ethical and research standards.
Results: The results indicated that 76% of waste staff experienced pain over the past year, and they primarily suffer from musculoskeletal problems (64.3%). To assess the validity and reliability of the structural equation model, two indices—average variance extracted and composite reliability—were utilized, both showed acceptable values for all components of the model. The structural equation model revealed that the type of hospital (P<0.001) is one of the most significant factors influencing the health of waste staff. Respiratory diseases among staff was the most significant difference among hospitals (P<0.05).
Conclusion: The high percentage of back pain and needlestick injuries among waste staff indicates the need for further research in this area. With increasing work experience, the likelihood of respiratory diseases among waste staff also increased; therefore, personal protective equipment, waste staff in hospitals under the supervision of Kerman University of Medical Sciences, especially in public hospitals, should be improved.
- Hospital waste
- Waste worker
- Health and safety
- Structural equation model
How to Cite
References
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