Wellbeing and occupational risk perception among health care workers: a multicenter study in Morocco and France

Abstract

BackgroundThe study analyzes health care workers’ (HCWs) occupational risk perception and compares exposure to occupational risk factors in Moroccan and French hospitals.MethodAcross nine public hospitals from three Moroccan regions (north, center and south), a 49 item French questionnaire, based on the Job Content Questionnaire, and 4 occupational risks subscales, was distributed to 4746 HCWs. Internal consistency of the study was determined for each subscale. Confirmatory factor analysis was conducted on the Moroccan questionnaire. Psychosocial job demand, job decision latitude and social support scores analysis was used to isolate high strain jobs. Occupational risks and high strain perception correlation were analyzed by univariate and multivariate logistic regression. A comparative analysis between Moroccan and French (Nantes Hospitals) investigations data was performed.ResultsIn Morocco, 2863 HCWs (60 %) answered the questionnaire (54 % women; mean age 40 years; mean work seniority 11 years; 24 % physicians; 45 % nurses). 44 % Moroccan HCWs are at high strain. Casablanca region (1.75 OR; CI: 1.34–2.28), north Morocco (1.66 OR; CI: 1.27–2.17), midwives (2.35 OR; 95 % CI 1.51–3.68), nursing aides (1.80 OR; 95 % CI: 1.09–2.95), full-time employment (1.34 OR; 95 % CI 1.06–1.68); hypnotics, sedatives use (1.48 OR; 95 % CI 1.19–1.83), analgesics use (1.40 OR; 95 % CI 1.18–1.65) were statistically associated to high strain. 44% Moroccan HCWs are at high strain versus 37 % French (Nantes) HCWs (p < 0.001).ConclusionMoroccan HCWs have high strain activity. Moroccan HCWs and more Moroccan physicians are at high strain than Nantes HCWs. Moroccan and French’s results showed that full time workers, midwives, workers using hypnotics, and analgesics are at high strain. Our findings underscore out the importance of implementing a risk prevention plan and even a hospital reform. Further research, with an enlarged study pool will provide more information on psychosocial risks (PSR) and HCWs’ health.

Healthcare Workers: Occupational Health Promotion and Patient Safety

“…Regarding the work-related risk factors, this study showed that most of the participants are exposed to several risk factors at workplace (ranging from environmental risk factors, biological to physical), although the psychosocial risk factors (work relations with superiors and colleagues, employment relations, and emotional demands) are the ones that most impact on well-being. Indeed, the results are in accordance with recent literature about healthcare workers, about occupational risk perception that indicated the impact of psychosocial risk factors on health and well-being [1,4,6,16,18,19].…”

“…In recent years, due to structural changes, the workplace is now regarded as a determinant of the individual's health and well-being [3]. Among numerous risks found in the workplace, such as environment factors, toxicological factors and physical factors, psychosocial risks emerge as a challenge to occupational health research field [4][5][6]. Within this context, the role of workplace on mental health is gaining attention as work is a significant part of an individual's life and can affect both mental health and well-being.…”

“Engaged, Burned Out, or Both?” A Structural Equation Model Testing Risk and Protective Factors for Social Workers in Refugee and Homeless Aid

“…Social support as another important job resource describes the availability and quality of helping relationships [18]. Evidence suggests positive associations between social support and workers' health [19][20][21][22][23] as well as direct positive effects of social support on employees' strain [22]. Two categories of support systems can be assumed for social workers: formal support via management and supervision as well as informal support provided by colleagues or friends [24].…”

Minor psychiatric disorders in nursing: prevalence and associated factors

“…Among the numerous risks to which these workers are exposed, one of them deserves to be highlighted: the psychosocial, considered harmful to mental and physical health and generated by psychological and social mechanisms. Workers who develop their activities in direct contact with people constitute the most exposed group (6) , as is the case of nursing.…”