Investigating Occupational Health Risks and Health-Seeking Behaviours among Healthcare Workers in Three Selected Health Facilities Across Three Districts of Ashanti Region.

Abstract

Healthcare workers (HCWs) are at heightened risk of occupational hazards due to the nature of their work, which compromises their safety, productivity, and overall well-being. This study investigated occupational health risks and health-seeking behaviours among HCWs in three selected health facilities across three districts of Ashanti Region, Ghana; Adansi North District Hospital, Afrancho Polyclinic, and Kenyasi Health Centre. A descriptive cross-sectional design was employed, and data were collected from 253 respondents using structured questionnaire. The analysis was conducted using SPSS, applying descriptive statistics, chi-square tests, and logistic regression. Findings revealed widespread exposure to occupational risks, with biological (65.6%), ergonomic (54.1%), and physical (51.8%) risks most prevalent. Logistic regression showed that HCWs aged 31-40 years and ≥ 41 years were significantly less likely to seek professional care after exposure than those aged 20-30 years (AOR = 0.050 and 0.007), respectively. Married and cohabiting workers were more likely to seek professional treatment than singles. Staff at Afrancho Polyclinic had higher odds of professional care-seeking than those at Adansi North DH (AOR = 14.98) and Kenyasi HC, whereas non-clinical workers were less likely to seek care than clinical staff. The study concludes that occupational health risks among HCWs remain widespread and are compounded by age, marital status, facility, staff category, work experience and the availability of stress-management and emotional-support systems. Policies should therefore strengthen occupational health and safety protocols, provide continuous training and adequate PPE, and institutionalise stress-management and psychosocial support programmes to encourage timely professional care. Targeted interventions for non-clinical staff and older workers may further improve health-seeking behaviour and ensure the well-being of the workforce a prerequisite for resilient health systems and progress toward universal health coverage.