Skip to main content

Advertisement

SpringerLink
Log in

Significant occupational hazards faced by healthcare workers in Zimbabwe

  • Review
  • Published:
Life Cycle Reliability and Safety Engineering Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Healthcare workers are exposed to a variety of work-related hazards that can negatively impact their health and well-being. This paper examines the various work-related hazards affecting healthcare workers in Zimbabwe, including physical, chemical, biological and psychosocial hazards. Search of books, book chapters, journals, published articles, thesis and abstracts was done using databases such as Google Scholar, Scopus, PubMed, Science Direct, Springer, Sage Publications, Web of Science and African Journals Online without date limit. Articles published in English were gathered to be considered during the compilation of the review. The study found that healthcare workers in Zimbabwe face numerous challenges, including inadequate training, protective equipment and long working hours and exposure to infectious diseases. However, implementation of methods to reduce hazards in countries like Zimbabwe is suboptimal. As a result this paper concludes with a developed framework for managing all types of risks affecting healthcare workers in Zimbabwe. The development of the proposed framework for managing work-related hazards was developed based on Plan, Do, Check and Act model.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1

Source: Authors

Fig. 2

Source: Authors

Fig. 3

Source: Authors

Similar content being viewed by others

Data availability

The data generated during and/or analysed during the current study are available from the corresponding author on reasonable request.

References

  • Abiramalakshmi A, Shree KC (2018) R. Systematic measurement of occupational hazards among healthcare workers. Int J Physiol, Nutr Phys Educ 3(2):560–563

    Google Scholar 

  • Aljondi R, Alghamdi SS, Alyanbawi S, Alghamdi A, Alshomrani B, Awan Z, Sulieman A (2022) Job belonging among healthcare workers in radiology departments in Saudi Arabia. J Radiat Res Appl Sci 15(3):103–108

    Google Scholar 

  • Alshahrani A (2020) Prevalence of Low Back Pain among Nursing Staff in Najran, Saudi Arabia: A Cross-Sectional Study. Med Sci 8(4):45

    Google Scholar 

  • Banya N (2018a) Zimbabwe’s health delivery system. ZimFact. Retrieved 16 February 2023.

  • Banya N (2018b). Zimbabwe’s health delivery system. ZimFact. Retrieved 17 February 2023.

  • Bielicki JA, Duval X, Gobat N, Goossens H, Koopmans M, Tacconelli E, van der Werf S (2020) Monitoring approaches for health-care workers during the COVID-19 pandemic. Lancet Infect Dis 20(10):e261–e267

    Article  CAS  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Boughattas W, El Maalel O, Maoua M, Bougmiza I, Kalboussi H, Brahem A, Mrizak N (2017) Low back pain among nurses: prevalence, and occupational risk factors. Occup Dis Environ Med 5(1):26–37

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Che Huei L, Ya-Wen L, Chiu Ming Y, Li Chen H, Jong Yi W, Ming Hung L (2020) Occupational health and safety hazards faced by healthcare professionals in Taiwan: A systematic review of risk factors and control strategies. SAGE Open Med 8:2050312120918999

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Chibango C (2013) Zimbabwe’s Medical Brain Drain: Impact Assessment on Health Service Delivery and Examination of Policy Responses: A Literature Review. Eur J Sustain Dev 2(2):43–43

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Chigudu S (2020) The political life of an epidemic: cholera, crisis, and citizenship in Zimbabwe. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge

    Book  Google Scholar 

  • Chikodzi D, Murwendo T, Simba FM (2013) Climate Change and Variability in Southeast Zimbabwe: Scenarios and Societal Opportunities. Am J Clim Change 2:3646

    Google Scholar 

  • Chilcott RP, Larner J, Matar H (2019) UK’s initial operational response and specialist operational response to CBRN and HazMat incidents: a primer on decontamination protocols for healthcare professionals. Emerg Med J 36(2):117–123

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Chinene B, Nkosi BP, Sibiya MN (2022) Disruptive behaviours involving radiographers that impede a safe work environment. Survey at central hospitals in Harare Metropolitan Province, Zimbabwe. Afr Health Sci 4(4):716–723

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Chingono RM, Nzvere FP, Marambire ET, Makwembere M, Mhembere N, Herbert T, Kranzer K (2022) Psychological distress among healthcare workers accessing occupational health services during the COVID-19 pandemic in Zimbabwe. Compr Psychiatry 116:152321

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Chipuru J (2017) Assessment of safety culture for occupational radiation protection in medical practices: a case study of Parirenyatwa Group of Hospitals, Harare, Zimbabwe (Doctoral dissertation, Midlands State University).

  • Chirisa I, Nyamadzawo L, Bandauko E, Mutsindikwa N (2015) The 2008/2009 cholera outbreak in Harare Zimbabwe case of failure in urban environmental health and planning. Rev Environ Health 30(2):117–124

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Chitura D, Chitura M, (2014) Burnout syndrome in intensive care unit nurses in Zimbabwe. Eur Sci J 478–657

  • Chiwaridzo M, Makotore V, Dambi JM, Munambah N, Mhlanga M (2018) Work-related musculoskeletal disorders among registered general nurses: a case of a large central hospital in Harare, Zimbabwe. BMC Res Notes 11:1–7

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Chokunonga E, Windridge P, Sasieni P, Borok M, Parkin DM (2016) Black–white differences in cancer risk in Harare, Zimbabwe, during 1991–2010. Int J Cancer 138(6):1416–1421

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • CIA. (2011). World Fact Book. Retrieved from https://www.cia.gov/library/publications.

  • Cox CL (2020) ‘Healthcare Heroes’: problems with media focus on heroism from healthcare workers during the COVID-19 pandemic. J Med Ethics 46(8):510–513

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Di Tecco C, Nielsen K, Ghelli M, Ronchetti M, Marzocchi I, Persechino B, Iavicoli S (2020) Improving Working Conditions and Job Satisfaction in Healthcare A Study Concept Design on a Participatory Organizational Level Intervention in Psychosocial Risks Management. Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health. 17:3677. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph17103677

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Dlungwane T, Voce A, Knight S (2018) Prevalence and factors associated with low back pain among nurses at a regional hospital in KwaZulu-Natal South Africa. Health SA Gesondheid 23:1

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Dzinamarira T, Nachipo B, Phiri B, Musuka G (2021) COVID-19 vaccine roll-out in South Africa and Zimbabwe: urgent need to address community preparedness, fears and hesitancy. Vaccines 9(3):250

    Article  CAS  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Emenim YA, Okafor NA (2021) Level of awareness and prevention of occupational hazards among health care workers in Ringroad State Hospital Ibadan, Oyo State. Niger. Euro Global Contemp Stud J 1(2):34–45

    Google Scholar 

  • Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO). (1990). National Survey of Biomass or wood fuel activities in Zimbabwe.

  • Franklin P, Gkiouleka A (2021) A scoping review of psychosocial risks to health workers during the Covid-19 pandemic. Int J Environ Res Public Health 18(5):2453

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Hamid A, Ahmad AS, Dar S, Sohail S, Akram F, Qureshi MI (2018) Ergonomics hazards and musculoskeletal disorders among workers of health care facilities. Curr World. 13:251

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Harrell M, Selvaraj SA, Edgar M (2020) Danger! Crisis health workers at risk. Int J Environ Res Public Health 17(15):5270

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Health and Safety Authority. (2020). Chemical agents in healthcare; [accessed 12 February 2023]. https:// www.hsa.ie/eng/Your_Industry/Healthcare_Sector/Chemical_Agents/.

  • Henretig FM, Kirk MA, McKay CA Jr (2019) Hazardous chemical emergencies and poisonings. New England J Med 380(17):1638–1655

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Jerie S (2012) Occupational health and safety problems among workers in the wood processing industries in Mutare, Zimbabwe. J Emerg Trends Econ Manag Sci 3(3):278–285

    Google Scholar 

  • Kahere M, Ginindza T (2020) Mapping evidence on the prevalence, incidence, risk factors and cost associated with chronic low back pain among adults in Sub-Saharan Africa: a systematic scoping review protocol. Syst Rev. 9(1):1–9

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kanyumba B, Msosa SK (2020) Eurasian journal of business and management. Eur J Bus Manag 8(2):51–62

    Google Scholar 

  • Kavenga F, Rickman HM, Chingono R, Taruvinga T, Marembo T, Manasa J, Kranzer K (2021) Comprehensive occupational health services for healthcare workers in Zimbabwe during the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic. Plos One 16(11):e0260261

    Article  CAS  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Kgakge K, Hlongwa M, Ginindza T (2021) The distribution of work-related musculoskeletal disorders among nurses in sub-Saharan Africa: a scoping review protocol. Syst Rev 10:1–6

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Maboreke T, Banhwa J, Pitcher RD (2019) An audit of licensed Zimbabwean radiology equipment resources as a measure of healthcare access and equity. Pan Afr Med J. https://doi.org/10.11604/pamj.2019.34.60.18935

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Mackworth-Young CR, Chingono R, Mavodza C, McHugh G, Tembo M, Chikwari CD, Ferrand RA (2021) Community perspectives on the COVID-19 response, Zimbabwe. Bull World Health Organ 99(2):85

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Makoni KM, Mutanana N (2016) Efective management of occupational stress as perceived by workers at a manufacturing company in Zimbabwe. Int J Res 3(5):45–52

    Google Scholar 

  • Manjengwa J (2022) Evaluation of adherence to standard occupational health and safety guidelines in medical laboratories in Harare, Zimbabwe (Doctoral dissertation, University of Johannesburg). https://search.proquest.com/openview/215438d53276f3d01ecd1bc2983cd5be/1?pq-origsite=gscholar&cbl=2026366&diss=y

  • Michel JP, Ecarnot F (2020) The shortage of skilled workers in Europe: Its impact on geriatric medicine. Eur. Geriatr. Med. 11:345–347. https://doi.org/10.1007/s41999-020-00323-0

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Mohanty A, Kabi A, Mohanty AP (2019a) Health problems in healthcare workers: A review. J Fam Med Prim Care 8(8):2568

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Mohanty S, Aghighi M, Yerneni K, Theruvath JL, Daldrup-Link HE (2019) Improving the efficacy of osteosarcoma therapy: combining drugs that turn cancer cell ‘don’t eat me’signals off and ‘eat me’signals on. Mol Oncol 13(10):2049–2061

    Article  CAS  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Mohanty A, Agnihotri S, Mehta A, Rawal S (2021) COVID-19 and cancer: Sailing through the tides. Pathol-Res Pract 221:153417

    Article  CAS  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Mossburg S, Agore A, Nkimbeng M, Commodore-Mensah Y (2019) Occupational hazards among healthcare workers in Africa: a systematic review. Ann Global Health 85(1):78. https://doi.org/10.5334/aogh.2434

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Moyo I, Ndou-Mammbona AA, Mavhandu-Mudzusi AH (2022) Challenges faced by healthcare workers at a central hospital in Zimbabwe after contracting COVID-19: An interpretive phenomenological analysis study. South Afr Fam Pract. https://doi.org/10.4102/safp.v64i1.5428

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Mugandani R, Wuta M, Makarau A, Chipindu B (2012) Re-classification of Agro-ecological Regions of Zimbabwe inconformity with climate variability and change. Afr Crop Sci J 20(2):361–369

    Google Scholar 

  • Mundagowa PT, Tozivepi SN, Chiyaka ET, Mukora-Mutseyekwa F, Makurumidze R (2022) Assessment of COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy among Zimbabweans: A rapid national survey. Plos One 17(4):e0266724

    Article  CAS  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Naithani M, Khapre M, Kathrotia R, Gupta PK, Dhingra VK, Rao S (2021) Evaluation of Sensitization Program on Occupational Health Hazards for Nursing and Allied Health Care Workers in a Tertiary Health Care Setting. Front Public Health 9:669179

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Nankongnab N, Kongtip P, Tipayamongkholgul M, Silpasuwan P, Kaewboonchoo O, Luksamijarulkul P, Woskie S (2020) Occupational hazards, health conditions and personal protective equipment used among healthcare workers in hospitals Thailand. Human Ecol Risk Assess Int J. https://doi.org/10.1080/10807039.2020.1768824

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ng’etich AK, Voyi K, Kirinyet RC, Mutero CM (2021) A systematic review on improving implementation of the revitalised integrated disease surveillance and response system in the African region: A health workers’ perspective. PLoS One 16(3):e0248998

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Nhokovedzo P, Nembaware T (2022) Risk factors associated with lower back pain among nurses: a case of National Rehabilitation Centre in Ruwa, Zimbabwe. Int J Sci Technol, 10(4).

  • Nyakabau AM (2014) Priorities for cancer prevention and control in Zimbabwe. Cancer Control 25:126–130

    Google Scholar 

  • Oke KI, Adeyekun A (2013) Patterns of work-related musculoskeletal disorders among sonographers in selected health facilities in Nigeria. J Appl Med Sci 2(4):67–76

    Google Scholar 

  • Rai R, El-Zaemey S, Dorji N, Rai BD, Fritschi L (2021) Exposure to occupational hazards among health care workers in low-and middle-income countries: a scoping review. Int J Environ Res Public Health 18(5):2603

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • RCRC (Red Cross Climate Centre). (2021). Climate Profiles of Countries in Southern Africa: Zimbabwe. The Hague: RCRC

  • Richardson A, McNoe B, Derrett S, Harcombe H (2018) Interventions to prevent and reduce the impact of musculoskeletal injuries among nurses: A systematic review. Int J Nurs Stud 82:58–67

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Ruotsalainen S, Jantunen S, Sinervo T (2020) Which factors are related to Finnish home care workers’ job satisfaction, stress, psychological distress and perceived quality of care?—A mixed method study. BMC Health Serv. Res 20:896. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12913-020-05733-1

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Rusakaniko S, Sibanda EN, Mduluza T, Tagwireyi P, Dhlamini Z, Ndhlovu CE, Mutapi F (2021) SARS-CoV-2 Serological testing in frontline health workers in Zimbabwe. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 15(3):e0009254

    Article  CAS  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Schuller K (2020) Interventions as the centrepiece of psychosocial risk assessment–why so difficult? Int J Workplace Health Manag 13(1):61–80

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Søvold LE, Naslund JA, Kousoulis AA, Saxena S, Qoronfleh MW, Grobler C, Münter L (2021) Prioritizing the mental health and well-being of healthcare workers: an urgent global public health priority. Front Public Health 9:679397

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Tinubu BM, Mbada CE, Oyeyemi AL, Fabunmi AA (2010) Work-related musculoskeletal disorders among nurses in Ibadan, South-west Nigeria: a cross sectional survey. BMC Musculoskelet Disord. 11:6–13

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • United Nations Scientific Committee on the Effects of Atomic Radiation (2018). Sources Effects and Risks of Ionizing Radiation: UNSCEAR 2017 Report to the General Assembly with Scientific Annexes, UN, New York, NY, USA, 2018.

  • Useh U, Igumbor EU, Madzivire DM (2003) Occupational injuries among physiotherapists: a case study in Zimbabwe: original contribution. Afr Saf Prom 1(2):26–33

    Google Scholar 

  • Vento S, Cainelli F, Vallone A (2020) Violence against Healthcare Workers: A Worldwide Phenomenon with Serious Consequences. Front. Public Health 8:570459. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpubh.570459

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Wagner A, Rieger MA, Manser T, Sturm H, Hardt J, Martus P, Hammer A (2019) Healthcare professionals’ perspectives on working conditions, leadership, and safety climate: A cross-sectional study. BMC Health Serv. Res. 19:53. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12913-018-3862-7

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Washinyira T (2018) Zimbabwe’s nurses complain of poor working conditions. Available at: Accessed 17 Feb 2023.

  • Wilcox ES, Chimedza IT, Mabhele S, Romao P, Spiegel JM, Zungu M, Yassi A (2020) Empowering health workers to protect their own health: a study of enabling factors and barriers to implementing HealthWISE in Mozambique, South Africa, and Zimbabwe. Int J Environ Res Public Health 17(12):4519

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Williamson K, Selleck C, Turner J (1988) Occupational health hazards for nurses. Image 20:48–53. https://www.academia.edu/download/57799971/j.1547-5069.1988.tb00059.x20181118-30586-1etefpm.pdf

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • World Bank Group Climate Change Knowledge Portal. (2021). Climate Data: Historical. URL: https://climateknowledgeportal.worldbank.org/country/zimbabwe.

  • World Bank Open Data (2021). https://data.worldbank.org. Accessed 16 February 2023

  • World Health Organisation. (2020). State of the World’s Nursing 2020: Investing in Education, Jobs and Leadership.World Health Organization; Geneva, Switzerland: Licence: CC BY-NC-SA 3.0 IGO.

  • World Health Organization. (2018). Occupational health: data and statistics, http://www.euro.who.int/en/health-topics/environment-and-health/occupational-health/data-and-statistics (accessed 17 February 2023).

  • Wushe T, Shenje J (2019) The relationship between social media usage in the workplace and employee productivity in the public sector: Case study of government departments in Harare. SA J Human Resour Manag 17(1):1–10

    Google Scholar 

  • Zebron S, Mutara G (2014) Prevalence of Work Related Stress among Health Practitioners at Chinhoyi Provincial Hospital. Prevalence 4:21

    Google Scholar 

  • Zhang M, Zhou M, Tang F, Wang Y, Nie H, Zhang L, You G (2020) Knowledge, attitude, and practice regarding COVID-19 among healthcare workers in Henan China. J Hosp Infect 105(2):183–187

    Article  CAS  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Zvanaka S (2018) Effectiveness of quality improvement on occurrence of needle stick injuries (NSIs) in Harare city, Zimbabwe, 2017: A quasi-experimental study. J Interval Epidemiol Public Health 1(1):9

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgements

All sources were acknowledged.

Funding

The authors have no affiliation with any organisation with a direct or indirect financial interest in the subject matter discussed in the manuscript.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Geography, Environmental Sustainability and Resilience Building, Midlands State University, Gweru, Zimbabwe

    Tapiwa Shabani, Jerie Steven & Takunda Shabani

Authors
  1. Tapiwa Shabani
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Jerie Steven
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Takunda Shabani
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Contributions

TS and TS were responsible for coming up with the idea, doing literature search and data analysis under supervision of the SJ. TS and TS developed the final draft and proof read the document and further adjustment were done by SJ.

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Tapiwa Shabani.

Ethics declarations

Conflicts of interest

This manuscript has not been submitted to, nor is under review at, another journal or other publishing venue.

Ethical approval

Approval was granted by Midlands State University to carry out the research as well as to publish under its name. All sources were properly cited to avoid plagiarism.

Consent to participate

All authors participated and agreed to participate up to final revision of the manuscript.

Consent for publication

Authors agreed to let the paper published when considered for publication.

Additional information

Publisher's Note

Springer Nature remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations.

Rights and permissions

Springer Nature or its licensor (e.g. a society or other partner) holds exclusive rights to this article under a publishing agreement with the author(s) or other rightsholder(s); author self-archiving of the accepted manuscript version of this article is solely governed by the terms of such publishing agreement and applicable law.

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Shabani, T., Steven, J. & Shabani, T. Significant occupational hazards faced by healthcare workers in Zimbabwe. Life Cycle Reliab Saf Eng 13, 61–73 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1007/s41872-024-00245-x

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s41872-024-00245-x

Keywords

Search

Navigation