OCCUPATIONAL CONDITIONS OF WORKERS IN PREHOSPITAL EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES

Authors

  • Kristina Stîncă Department of Occupational Health, Chemical Safety and Toxicology, Directorate of Public Health Protection, National Public Health Agency, Chișinău, Republic of Moldova

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.7328756

Keywords:

working conditions, pancreatoduodenal resection, prehospital emergency medical services, impact, health

Abstract

Objectives. Prehospital care is an essential component of universal health coverage, being the main point of access to the health system. The aim of the paper was to evaluate the working conditions and their impact on the health status of prehospital emergency medical services workers in the Republic of Moldova.

Materials and methods. A cross-sectional study was also carried out using the survey, which involves assessing the working conditions and health of the prehospital emergency medical service workers. The study included the emergency medical service doctors and nurses, from urban or rural areas, regardless of gender, nationality, ethnicity or religion.

Results. A total of 260 medical workers took part in the survey, 7 of whom assigned the working conditions to unfavorable and dangerous for health, 193 respondents indicated the very high risk of occupational disease. About 230 survey participants indicated the presence of professional contact with chemical substances (disinfectants, drugs, exhaust gases, etc.), physical factors (noise, vibration, extreme temperatures) and biological factors (viruses, bacteria, fungi) at the workplace. Also, 91 medical workers suffer from chronic diseases (chronic gastritis, pancreatitis, ulcer, hypertension, bronchitis, chronic sinusitis, allergy, etc.), and 55 respondents suffered trauma at work, during the use of equipment, inventory, transport, etc., of which 10 cases were reported during the last 12 months.

Conclusions. Prehospital emergency medical services represent a critical part of medical assistance, which are subject to many threats to safety, a fact that determines the improvement of state policies, improvement of working conditions and ensuring the high social status of medical workers in the Republic of Moldova.

Published

18-11-2022

Issue

Section

CONFERENCE MATERIALS

Most read articles by the same author(s)