Perception of risks and safe handling practices of corpses among morticians in Ibadan, Oyo state

Authors

  • Oluwasun Oladapo Akinyemi Department of Health Policy and Management, College of Medicine, University of Ibadan, Oyo State, Nigeria
  • Esther M. Adenaike Department of Health Policy and Management, College of Medicine, University of Ibadan, Oyo State, Nigeria
  • Olayinka S. Ilesanmi Department of Community Medicine, College of Medicine, University of Ibadan, Oyo State, Nigeria
  • Samuel O. Ojezele Department of Health Policy and Management, College of Medicine, University of Ibadan, Oyo State, Nigeria

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.18203/2394-6040.ijcmph20211964

Keywords:

Risk assessment, Morticians, Work practices, Corpses, Occupational health and safety, Personal protective equipment, Mortuary workers

Abstract

Background: It is well known in many Sub-Saharan countries that many morgues that are designed and built to earlier standard are no longer compatible with current occupational health and safety practices. This study therefore aimed to investigate the perception of risks involved and safe handling of corpses among morticians in Ibadan, Oyo State, Nigeria.

Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional study among 42 morticians in Ibadan in 2017 using both quantitative and qualitative methods of data collection. An interviewer-administered questionnaire was used to obtain information from morticians. A key informant interview was also conducted with each supervisor of the various facilities.

Results: Respondents’ mean age was 42.1±11.4 years, 39 (95.1%) were males, and 14 (35%) had no formal education. The most dangerous communicable diseases that the respondents were aware of included Lassa fever among 38 (95.0%), Ebola among 35 (87.5%), tetanus among 34 (85.0%), tuberculosis among 31 (77.5%), and hepatitis B among 25 (62.5%). In all, 36 (90%) of the respondents had inhaled chemicals during work leading to cough, excessive sneezing and eye irritation. Protective gown was well known among all 42 (100%) respondents. Work-associated injuries such as sharp injury, splash of chemicals, slip, trip and falls were least ranked. Some of the facilities (33%) had written program based on the requirement of the World Health Organization.

Conclusions: Government, stakeholders and bodies responsible for managing mortuaries should not only pass law and enforce them but also provide avenues (seminars, lectures, webinars etc.) where knowledge can be shared and modern industry safe practices can be achieved.

References

Sirengo S. 2014. Occupational Health Hazards facing mortuary attendants. Available at: http://healthservicemanagement.blogspot.com/2014/07/occupational-health-hazards-facing-mortuary-attendants.html?m=1. Accessed 26 October 2020.

Okoth-Okelloh AM, Onyango R, Tonui WK, Okumu W, Ouma C. Occupational Health and Safety Administration (OSHA) in the morgues: Management and Practice of the Universal Precautions in morgues in Kenya. Biosafety. 2015;4:1.

Sepkowitz KA, Eisenberg L. Occupational deaths among healthcare workers. Emerg Infec Dis. 2005;11(7):1003-8.

Burton JL. Health safety at necropsy. J Clin Pathol. 2003;56(4):254-60.

Ogunnowo BE, Anunobi CC, Onajole AT, Odeyemi KA. 2010. Awareness of occupational health hazards and the practice of universal safety precautions among mortuary workers in South West Nigeria. Niger Q J Hosp Med. 2010;20:192-219.

Boardman J, Lyon A. Defining best practice in corporate occupational health and safety governance. Sudbury: HSE Books. 2006.

Douglas K, Peterside S. Assessment of workplace hazards in mortuaries in Port Harcourt, Nigeria. Port Harcourt Med J. 2016;10:102-10.

Mittal S. Occupational Health Hazards Facing Mortuary Attendants. J Punjab Acad Forensic Med Toxicol. 2016;16(2):141-3.

Sewunet T, Kebede W, Wondafrash B, Workalemau B, Abebe G. Survey of Safety Practices among Hospital Laboratories in Oromia Regional State, Ethiopia. Ethiop J Health Sci. 2014;24:307-10.

Oguntona TS, Adedeji OO, Ogunsola D. Awareness and Use of Personnel Protective Equipment (PPE) and Practice of Safety Precautions Among Funeral Home Workers in Lagos State. Transnatl J Sci Technol. 2012;2.

Laisser RM, Ng’home JF. Reported incidences and factors associated with percutaneous injuries and splash exposures among healthcare workers in Kahama District, Tanzania. Tanzan J Health Res. 2017;19.

Bakhshi S. Code of practice for funeral workers: managing infection risk and body bagging. Commun Dis Public Health. 2001;4(4):283-7.

Auta A, Adewuyi EO, Tor-Anyiin A, Aziz D, Ogbole E, Ogbonna BO et al. Health-care workers’ occupational exposures to body fluids in 21 countries in Africa: systematic review and meta-analysis. Bull WHO. 2017;95:831-41.

Richards L, Potgieter E. Perceptions of registered nurses in four state health institutions on continuing formal education: research article. Curationis. 2010;33(2):41-50.

Okoth-Okelloh A. Occupational Health and Safety Administration (OSHA) in the Morgues: Management and Practice of the Universal Precautions in Morgues in Kenya. Biosafety. 2015;04.

Downloads

Published

2021-05-25

How to Cite

Akinyemi, O. O., Adenaike, E. M., Ilesanmi, O. S., & Ojezele, S. O. (2021). Perception of risks and safe handling practices of corpses among morticians in Ibadan, Oyo state. International Journal Of Community Medicine And Public Health, 8(6), 2643–2652. https://doi.org/10.18203/2394-6040.ijcmph20211964

Issue

Section

Original Research Articles