"Protecting the Frontline: An Assessment on the Occupational Factors Contributing to Covid-19 Nosocomial Infections at Levy Mwanawasa University Teaching Hospital, Zambia"

Abstract

Everywhere in the world, health workers are at the frontline of the Covid-19 pandemic response and as such are exposed to different hazards (nosocomial infections) that make them at risk. The hospital working environment is complex and demanding and can pose significant risks to staff safety WHO [1]. Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) covers staff health, safety and welfare in the workplace. OHS is particularly important in public hospitals because major hazards exist-such as exposure to infections and chemical agents, manual handling of patients and materials, ships, trips, falls and occupational violence. These hazards can lead to Covid-19 noso-comial infections. Covid-19 was confirmed in Zambia on the 18th March,2020 with a total of 202,078 cases,193,370 (97%) recoveries and 3,521 deaths have been recorded as at 13th August, 2021 HMIS [2]. The severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-COVI-2) pandemic has been continuing to take a heavy toll on human life spreading to new communities even as its fire appears to have dwindled somewhat in the earlier epi-centers of the country. However, the disease situation in the country has continued to improve with a further 21% reduction in positivity recorded in the past weeks prior to the first week of August 2021. In addition, daily admissions and deaths have significantly reduced over the month of July,2021 from an average of 150 to 30 and from 55 to 10 respectively HMIS [2]. Abstract