Assessment of Biological Risk Exposure Among Hospital Housekeepers at Wukari Teaching Hospital
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553-564
Digital Object Identifier:
10.58578/ajbmbr.v2i3.8026
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Authors:
Isaac John Umaru1, Solomon Ossom Asare2, Akpan Usenobong Morgan3, Debora Akinola Umogbai4, Abimbola Gbenga Olayemi5, Genevieve Akpah Yeboah6 
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Abstract
Hospital housekeepers play a vital role in maintaining hygiene and preventing infections within healthcare facilities, yet they are frequently exposed to biological hazards such as bloodborne pathogens, respiratory droplets, and contaminated waste, often without adequate protection or training. In Nigeria, particularly in tertiary institutions like Wukari Teaching Hospital, limited resources and weak enforcement of safety protocols further increase the vulnerability of non-clinical staff. This study aimed to assess the level of biological risk exposure among hospital housekeepers and identify gaps in personal protective equipment (PPE) usage, hygiene practices, and institutional support. A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted among 60 hospital housekeepers at Wukari Teaching Hospital, with stratified random sampling ensuring representation across departments including wards, emergency, surgery, and outpatient units. Data were collected using structured questionnaires, direct observation checklists, and key informant interviews with infection control officers, and variables assessed included demographic data, exposure history, PPE usage, hygiene practices, and training experience. Quantitative data were analyzed using SPSS version 26, while qualitative responses were thematically coded. Findings revealed that 78.3% of housekeepers had direct contact with biological waste in the past six months, with blood, sputum, and vomit being the most common contaminants; only 41.7% consistently used full PPE, and just 36.7% reported that PPE was always available. Hand hygiene compliance was observed in 58.3% of cases, while 65% of respondents had never received formal infection control training, and only 30% felt adequately protected at work, with a majority suggesting improvements such as regular training, better supervision, and increased PPE supply. The study concludes that hospital housekeepers at Wukari Teaching Hospital face substantial biological risks due to frequent exposure, inconsistent PPE usage, and inadequate training, highlighting the urgent need for institutional reforms including structured infection control education, reliable PPE provision, and strict enforcement of hygiene protocols to protect this essential workforce and ensure a safe and resilient healthcare environment.
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References
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Douglas, I., Alam, K., Maghenda, M., McDonnell, Y., McLean, L., & Campbell, J. (2008). Unjust waters: Climate change, flooding and the urban poor in Africa. Environment and Urbanization, 20(1), 187–205. https://doi.org/10.1177/0956247808089156
Few, R., Ahern, M., Matthies, F., & Kovats, S. (2004). Floods, health and climate change: A strategic review. Tyndall Centre for Climate Change Research.
Paterson, D. L., Wright, H., & Harris, P. N. A. (2018). Health risks of flood disasters. Clinical Infectious Diseases, 67(9), 1450–1454. https://doi.org/10.1093/cid/ciy227
Reacher, M., McKenzie, K., Lane, C., Nichols, T., Kedge, I., Iversen, A., ... & Simpson, J. (2004). Health impacts of flooding in Lewes: A comparison of reported gastrointestinal and other illness and mental health in flooded and non-flooded households. Communicable Disease and Public Health, 7(1), 39–46.
World Health Organization (WHO). (2017). Flooding and communicable diseases fact sheet. https://www.who.int/hac/techguidance/ems/flood_cds/en
Paterson, D. L., Wright, H., & Harris, P. N. A. (2018). Health risks of flood disasters. Clinical Infectious Diseases, 67(9), 1450–1454. https://doi.org/10.1093/cid/ciy227
World Health Organization (WHO). (2017). Flooding and communicable diseases fact sheet. https://www.who.int/hac/techguidance/ems/flood_cds/en
Few, R., Ahern, M., Matthies, F., & Kovats, S. (2004). Floods, health and climate change: A strategic review. Tyndall Centre for Climate Change Research.
Adesola, R. O., Okeke, V. C., Chris, N. P., Dike, C. K., Olughu, O. I., & Vermilye, A. (2024). Public health impacts of flooding: A case study of 2022 flood outbreak in Nigeria. ResearchGate. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/384328413
Douglas, I., Alam, K., Maghenda, M., McDonnell, Y., McLean, L., & Campbell, J. (2008). Unjust waters: Climate change, flooding and the urban poor in Africa. Environment and Urbanization, 20(1), 187–205. https://doi.org/10.1177/0956247808089156
Few, R., Ahern, M., Matthies, F., & Kovats, S. (2004). Floods, health and climate change: A strategic review. Tyndall Centre for Climate Change Research.
Paterson, D. L., Wright, H., & Harris, P. N. A. (2018). Health risks of flood disasters. Clinical Infectious Diseases, 67(9), 1450–1454. https://doi.org/10.1093/cid/ciy227
Reacher, M., McKenzie, K., Lane, C., Nichols, T., Kedge, I., Iversen, A., ... & Simpson, J. (2004). Health impacts of flooding in Lewes: A comparison of reported gastrointestinal and other illness and mental health in flooded and non-flooded households. Communicable Disease and Public Health, 7(1), 39–46.
World Health Organization (WHO). (2017). Flooding and communicable diseases fact sheet. https://www.who.int/hac/techguidance/ems/flood_cds/en