DR. BRYAN CEPEDOZA
MEDICAL INSIDER
A Question & Answer Session
with Dr. Bryan Cepedoza
on Occupational Hazards
(Part 2)
The Bohol Tribune (TBT): Dr. Bryan, let us please continue with our discussion of the topic “Occupational Hazards”. What are the common occupational hazards in the health sector?
Dr. Bryan Cepedoza: That is a good question. The health sector has considered the following as the most common occupational hazards: tuberculosis, hepatitis B and C, HIV/AIDS and respiratory infections (coronaviruses, influenza). Research has it that needlestick injuries contribute to 39% for hepatitis C, 37% for hepatitis B and 4.4% for HIV infections respectively.
The Bohol Tribune (TBT): Really?
Dr. Bryan Cepedoza: Yes, in fact, if you browse the data in the internet you will find out that the prevalence of acute hepatitis B infection among health workers globally is 5.3%. About 54% of health workers in low-and middle-income countries have latent TB infection.
The Bohol Tribune (TBT): Are there other occupational hazards in the health sector?
Dr. Bryan Cepedoza: Of course. There is also what we call as “Unsafe patient handling”. This includes lifting, transferring, repositioning and moving of patients without using proper techniques. This also includes handing equipment which can cause musculoskeletal injury such as back injury and chronic back pain. Moreover, there our workers may also be exposed to hazardous chemicals.
The Bohol Tribune (TBT): What are these hazardous chemicals, Dr. Bryan?
Dr. Bryan Cepedoza: The most common hazardous chemicals in the health sector are the cleaning and disinfecting agents. We also have the sterilants. Mercury is another one. Some others are toxic drugs, pesticides, latex and laboratory chemicals and reagents.
The Bohol Tribune (TBT): What else, Dr. Bryan?
Dr. Bryan Cepedoza: Workers may also be exposed to radiation. Ionizing (x-rays, radionuclides) and non-ionizing radiation (UV, lasers) exposure may occur in health-care settings and pose specific risk to the health and safety of health workers.
The Bohol Tribune (TBT): So those are some of the chemicals that could be hazardous to the employee if he is exposed to such in his work area.
Dr. Bryan Cepedoza: And please don’t forget that
STRESS is another occupational hazard that a worker may be exposed to. What is meant by STRESS?
The Bohol Tribune (TBT): Yes, what is meant by STRESS, Dr. Bryan. Please explain further.
Dr. Bryan Cepedoza: You might not realize that time pressure may cause your STRESS. If you do not know how to manage your time and if time always runs after your schedule, the situation might be hazardous.(To be continued).