A Longitudinal Study of Morbidity among Nursing Assistants in a Tertiary Care Hospital in Bangalore, Karnataka, India

 

Abstract

Background: The personnel of the health service are its most valuable asset, so it is only sensible to make sure that everything possible is done to ensure that they receive the highest quality of health care. Nursing Assistants are a significant group of healthcare personnel in all levels of health care services in the health sector. 

 

Objectives: Were to estimate the prevalence of existing morbidities and to estimate the incidence of reported morbidities over a one year period among nursing assistants at a tertiary care hospital.

Methodology: A longitudinal descriptive study was undertaken in a private tertiary care hospital in Bangalore for a period of one year (November 2012 – October 2013). After receiving institutional ethics committee clearance, nursing assistants who had work experience of one year in the current work place were enrolled in the study (n= 254). The health status of the workers was assessed periodically to pick up the incidences of various morbidities.

 

Results: Of the 254 nursing assistants included in the study134 (53%) were in the age group of 21- 30 years with the mean age of 29.4 years (± 8.33 years). Incidence rate of acute morbidity was 36.9 episodes per 100 person months. About 50% of the illnesses were infectious, nearly 30% were musculoskeletal disorders and 3.2% were allergic reactions.

 

Conclusion: Infectious diseases like URTI and musculoskeletal pain were found to be common acute morbidities. There is a need to adopt more effective measures of health promotion and to encourage adoption of safety measures in this group of health care workers.

 

Key words: Health care workers, nursing assistants, occupational health morbidities, longitudinal study.