Occupational health hazards, health seeking behavior, and well-being among care providers of tuberculosis patients in Metro Manila

• Main Author: Gabuya, Rosarie Villabito
• Format: text
• Language: English
• Published: Animo Repository 2019
• Subjects: Caregivers—Health and hygiene—Philippines—Metro Manila; Public health personnel—Health and hygiene—Philippines—Metro Manila; Tuberculosis—Patients—Care; Medicine and Health
• Online Access: https://animorepository.dlsu.edu.ph/etd_masteral/6621; https://animorepository.dlsu.edu.ph/context/etd_masteral/article/13585/viewcontent/Gabuya__Rosarie_V.____THESIS_for_CD4.pdf
• Institution: De La Salle University

This study was designed to determine the occupational health hazards, health seeking behavior and the well-being among the health workers involved in tuberculosis care in different health facilities in Metro Manila. This study also intends to explain the knowledge and perception of the different occupational health hazards to the health seeking behavior of the health workers and if this affects the well-being of the informants. The research made use of a qualitative research methodological approach utilizing a semi-structured interview guide to fifteen informants. The data gathered was transcribed and coded. Analysis of codes and themes was done to present the relationship of the understanding of the health hazards in the workplace. The study presented data on the behavior and actions made by the informants when they feel ill, when they experience symptoms that are respiratory in nature and their health seeking behavior towards a family member and a colleague that feels sick. Practices observed as cited by the informants to promote health and prevent the spread of diseases was also described in this study. The study highlighted the overall assessment of the well-being of health workers. This also presented the evaluation of the well-being of fellow health workers based on the health-seeking practices and presence of occupational hazards. Findings showed that health workers acknowledge the presence of health hazards in the workplace. They admit that their job puts their health at risk and can similarly pose health risk to their family members. The study characterized these health hazards as to physical hazards, biological hazards, ergonomic hazards and work organization related hazards. Under the categories, the primary hazard reported by the health care workers are biological hazards. Furthermore, older health workers and those that are tasked to go on regular field work have reported some physical hazards and work organization related hazards. The findings also showed that the health seeking behavior of health workers are influenced by the knowledge of hazards in the workplace, availability of health services, personal characteristics, and even stigma. As health workers, they give attention to their health and engage in activities and practices to improve and maintain good health. Health workers perceive themselves as healthy individuals in spite of being daily exposed to TB pathogens and other communicable diseases. Reported health issues are mostly body strains they attribute to the routine tasks performed over the years. A significant finding in the study on the well-being of health workers was the issue of mental health. Psychological stress and mental disorder was reported to be a health outcome of the exposure and interaction with the patients.