Occupational risks in nursing professionals at a public hospital, Paraguay

Abstract

Introduction: Nursing professionals face various biological, chemical, physical, psychosocial, and ergonomic risks inherent to their practice, which affect their health and work performance.

Objective: To determine the occupational risks among nursing professionals in a public hospital in Paraguay, 2024.

Methods: A cross-sectional, observational-descriptive study was conducted with 97 nursing professionals from the surgical area of ​​a public hospital in San Lorenzo, Paraguay (2024), using convenience sampling. A validated 35-item questionnaire (Escobar and Vargas) with a Likert scale was administered. Data were collected via Google Forms and analyzed descriptively using SPSS v25, with informed consent and in accordance with the Belmont Report principles.

Results: 88% of the participants were women, and 71% had a university degree. The main findings revealed that 100% reported work-related stress and handling of pathogens, 94% had contact with bodily fluids, 87% were exposed to chemical disinfectants, 76% presented musculoskeletal injuries, 70% reported physical and mental overload, and 57% reported exposure to physical hazards. When categorizing overall risk, 73% of the sample presented a high level, 16% a medium level, and 11% a low level.

Conclusion: There is a high prevalence of multidimensional occupational risks, with biological and psychosocial risks predominating. The simultaneous presence of these threats, evidenced in the 73% of professionals with a high overall risk level, demands the urgent implementation of comprehensive prevention programs, provision of personal protective equipment, epidemiological surveillance, and psychosocial support to protect staff and ensure patient safety.