Stress factors amongst health workers in radiation facilities in Lagos

Abstract

Occupational stress is defined as the perception of a discrepancy between environmental demands (stressors) and individual capacities to fulfill these demands. The workplace factors for Radiation workers are associated with stress and health risks which can be categorized as those linked with the content of work and those linked with the social and organizational context of work. Radiation health workers are health workers that use ionizing radiation either for investigation or treatment of patients. Radiation can be hazardous when the use does not comply with ALARA principles which stipulate regulations for radiation use summarily limiting use to optimum dose when required. There are very limited centres for the training of Radiation health workers in Nigeria however the numbers of Diagnostic Centres and Radiotherapy facilities are on the rise especially in the urban centres putting a strain on the population of radiation health worker. Occupational Stress is a cause of ill mental and physical ill health that can result in unwanted radiation accidents. Radiation accident can be very harmful to the patient and health worker hence the need to study factors associated with work stress so as to find solution. The aim of the research was to determine the common factors that influence occupational stress amongst Radiation Health workers in Lagos. The objective was to identify common factors of work stress linked to social and organizational content in Lagos. A questionnaire-based cross-sectional survey was used for data collection. Ethical approval was obtained from Lagos University Teaching Hospital Health Research Ethics Committee. Data collated from the questionnaire was Analyzed This study was carried out over a period of 3 months and a total of 130 Radiation Health workers from a Government Tertiary Facility and other three Private Diagnostic Facilities in Lagos based on the availability and willingness to participate of which 119 Completed and returned the questionnaire out of 130, Result of research revealed inadequate staffing with majority of the work force being young and not very experienced. They also report long hours on duty without break. Only about 12 % of participants felt the work stress level was acceptable while most of the participants were not satisfied with work stress level. Other factors that were found to be associated with work stress includes flexibility of work, salary and incentives, Job security, health insurance, length of leave and equipment handling amongst other factors were reported. Changes in work practices such as improved communication between managers and staff, employment of more Radiation health workers and by improving the flexibility of work, however such as break time were recommended. Others includes better remuneration, continuous hand on training and improved work ethics are recommended.