Assessment of Work-related Injuries Amongst Sonographers, Radiographers, and Radiologists in Nairobi County, Kenya

Abstract

Study Background: Diagnostic imaging is one of the fastest-growing careers in terms of technology and equipment, and it requires highly technical skills to implement. The steadily increasing use of workplace machinery has resulted in a variety of work-related injuries among health professionals. The rate of musculoskeletal work-related injuries in this profession has been a source of concern, with up to 88% of injuries reported. Musculoskeletal work-related injuries can manifest as physical health problems affecting the nerves, muscles, joints, tendons, and ligaments due to manual labour, awkward, repetitive movements, poor working body position, and equipment location. Broader Objectives: The main objective of this study was to assess work-related injuries amongst sonographers, radiographers, and radiologists in level six hospitals in Nairobi County, Kenya. Study Design and Site: The study employed a cross-sectional study design in radiology departments at Kenyatta National Hospital, Kenyatta University Teaching and Referral Hospital, National Spinal Injury Referral Hospital, and Mathari National Teaching and Referral Hospital. Participants and method: The study targeted 142 health professionals, including radiologists, interventional radiologists, radiology residents, radiographers, and sonographers from the participating facilities who met the inclusion criteria. Data was collected using a semi-structured questionnaire. The questionnaire captured data on work-related injuries, demographics (gender, age, and years of practice), and type of injury. Data management: Field data was organized and cleaned at the end of data collection. Data cleaning entailed identifying inaccurate and unreliable responses that were removed to enhance the data quality. Data was then entered into MS Access, exported to SPSS, and analyzed using descriptive and inferential methods to assess work-related injuries amongst sonographers, radiographers, and radiologists in level six hospitals. The original dataset was reserved before any data transformation was done.

Expected outcomes: The study provides insight into work-related injuries among radiologists, sonographers, and radiographers regarding injuries and physical risk factors.