Factors Associated with Work-Related Health Risks Among Nursing Instructors
Keywords:
Nursing instructors, Occupational health hazards, Work-related health risksAbstract
Nursing instructors are a professional group exposed to various occupational health hazards in the workplace. These hazards may affect both their physical and mental health. This descriptive correlational study aimed to examine the characteristics of occupational health hazards and work-related health risks, and the relationship between these hazards and health risks among nursing instructors. The participants consisted of 146 nursing instructors from faculties of nursing at Rajabhat universities across the country, each of which had produced at least one cohort of graduates from the Bachelor of Nursing Science program and met the inclusion criteria. Research instruments included questionnaires on occupational health hazards and work-related health risks. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, chi-square test, and Fisher’s exact test.
The results showed that the most common occupational health hazards were physical hazards, particularly regular exposure to computer screens (87.67%), followed by ergonomic hazards, including sitting for more than two hours per day (85.62%) and repetitive hand or arm work (78.77%). Regarding work-related health risks, the most common symptoms were stress from rushing (85.62%), shoulder pain (82.19%), neck pain (80.14%), and eye irritation (80.14%). Significant correlations (p < .01) were found between ergonomic hazards and physical pain, physical hazards and eye/head symptoms, and psychosocial hazards (work overload). Chemical hazards (alcohol irritation) and unsafe conditions (injuries from disorganized workspaces) also showed significant correlations (p < .05). The correlation coefficients ranged from r ≈ 0.17 to 0.51.
The results of this study indicate that nursing instructors are exposed to occupational health hazards, particularly physical, ergonomic, and psychosocial hazards. Therefore, it is essential to improve working environments and promote appropriate preventive measures.
References
Alhalwani, A., Husain, A., Saemaldahar, A., Makhdoum, F., Alhakami, M., Ashi, R., Wali, R., Alsharif, S., Khan, M. A., Jastaniahk, N., & Fasfous, I. (2024). The impact of alcohol hand sanitizer use on skin health between healthcare worker: Cross-sectional study. Skin Research and Technology, 30(1), e13527. https://doi.org/10.1111/srt.13527
Bunchoo, T., & Aatwichai, P. (2025). Sharp injuries and exposure to patients’ body fluids among healthcare workers in Bueng Kan Hospital. The Office of Disease Prevention and Control 8 Udon Thani Journal, 3(1), 57–69. https://he03.tci-thaijo.org/index.php/JODPC8/article/view/2410/3009 (in Thai)
Chacko, E., & Chetan, R. R. (2018). Awareness on computer ergonomics and prevention of MSD among the millennials in Bangalore. Research Review International Journal of Multidisciplinary, 3(11), 422–426. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/329192052_Awareness_on_Computer_Ergonomics_and_Prevention_of_MSD_among_the_Millennials_in_Bangalore
Daenseekaew, S., Saensom, D., Singha-Dong, N., & Boonkong, P. (2017). Nursing practice environments in Northeast Thailand. Journal of Nursing and Health Care, 35(2), 216–226. https://he01.tci-thaijo.org/index.php/jnat-ned/article/view/96740/75457 (in Thai)
Edlich, R., Woodard, C. R., Pine, S. A., & Lin, K. Y. (2017). A collective review on hazards of powder on surgical and examination gloves. Journal of Long-Term Effects of Medical Implants, 27(2–4), 113-123. https://doi.org/10.1615/JLongTermEffMedImplants.v27.i2-4.30
Fouda, M. M., Abd El-Mohsen, A. S., Shafik, S. A., & El-Zayat, O. S. (2024). Knowledge and practice regarding computer ergonomics among faculty staff in Helwan University. Helwan International Journal for Nursing Research and Practice, 3(8), 42–60. https://hijnrp.journals.ekb.eg/article_404460_12b869190591891978678bbd97d7dcba.pdf
Ikradiningrat, E. D. P., & Martiana, T. (2024). Overview of the incidence and risk factors of computer vision syndrome among office workers at PT XYZ, Pasuruan, East Java. World Journal of Advanced Research and Reviews, 22(1), 1398–1403. https://doi.org/10.30574/wjarr.2024.22.1.1080
Inchai, J., Liwsrisakun, C., Bumroongkit, C., Euathrongchit, J., Tajarernmuang, P., & Pothirat, C. (2018). Tuberculosis among healthcare workers at Chiang Mai University Hospital, Thailand: Clinical and microbiological characteristics and treatment outcomes. Japanese Journal of Infectious Diseases, 71(3), 214–219. https://doi.org/10.7883/yoken.JJID.2017.274
Kaewnan, S., Kaewboonchu, O., & Rawirokool, T. (2017). Relationship between job stress and job satisfaction among nursing instructors the ministry of public health. Journal of Public Health Nursing, 31(Special), 163–176. (in Thai)
Kamdaeng, P. (2021). Supervision in clinical practice regarding expectations of nursing students. Journal of the Nurses' Association of Thailand, Northern Region, 27(1), 17–26. (in Thai)
Karaket, A., Panumaswiwat, S., Talerd, W., & Pranom, S. (2021). Reducing overcrowding at the emergency department in a community hospital in Sisaket Province. Journal of Health Science, 30(Suppl. 1), S102–S112. (in Thai)
Khongrit, V. (2021). The physical symptoms from personnel computer using. Journal of Science and Technology Mahasarakham University, 40(5), 369–375. https://li01.tci-thaijo.org/index.php/scimsujournal/article/view/251023/173102 (in Thai)
Krejcie, R. V., & Morgan, D. W. (1970). Determining sample size for research activities. Educational and Psychological Measurement, 30(3), 607–610. https://doi.org/10.1177/001316447003000308
Kumyoung, N., Kaewnakhoon, R., Artkla, K., Sattham, T., Chaloothong, N., & Paengwong, P. (2024). Ergonomics risk assessment of computer use among lecturers at the Loei Rajabhat University. The 8th STOU National Research Conference (pp. 346–354). Sukhothai Thammathirat Open University. https://shorturl.asia/Tx0ZG (in Thai)
Maida, C. M., Aprea, L., Calamusa, G., Campisi, F., Favaro, D., Russo Fiorino, G., Fodale, A. M., Maniglia, M. L., Marchese, V., Velardo, M. M., & Torregrossa, M. V. (2020). Blood and body fluids exposure of healthcare workers in a University Hospital of Palermo, Italy: A fourteen years long surveillance. Annali dell'Istituto Superiore di Sanità, 32(6), 664–673. https://doi.org/10.7416/ai.2020.2380
Ministry of Education. (2018). Announcement on the higher education standards, B.E. 2561. Royal Thai Government Gazette, 135(199), 19-21. http://www.ratchakitcha.soc.go.th/DATA/PDF/2561/E/199/T19.PDF
Nucera, E., Aruanno, A., Rizzi, A., & Centrone, M. (2020). Latex allergy: Current status and future perspectives. Journal of Asthma and Allergy, 13, 385–398. https://doi.org/10.2147/JAA.S242058
Panikhom, C., & Chaiklieng, S. (2024). Health risk assessment of indoor air quality exposure among healthcare workers in a community hospital, Khon Kaen Province. Thai Journal of Toxicology, 39(2), 1–18. (in Thai)
Rashwan, Z. I., Shaaban, A., Bayoumi, M., & Bader, E. (2025). Technology impacts academia's day-to-day activities: Association between musculoskeletal body injuries and nursing faculties’ knowledge and practice on workstation ergonomics. International Journal of Occupational Safety and Health, 15(1), 145–155. https://doi.org/10.3126/ijosh.v15i1.63570
Rogers, B. (2003). Occupational and environmental health nursing: Concepts and practice (2nd ed.). W.B. Saunders.
Salem, F. A., Weheida, S. M., Ali, K. A. G., Metwely, S. M., Alkordy, A., El Emam, S. Y., Niazy, R., & Farghaly, S. M. (2023). Computer vision syndrome as perceived by undergraduate nursing students versus clinical nursing teachers. Egyptian Journal of Health Care, 14(4), 399–418. https://doi.org/10.21608/ejhc.2023.326843
Sirismut, T. (2021). Toxicology of ethyl alcohol and isopropyl alcohol. Thai Journal of Hospital Pharmacy, 31(1), 14–23. (in Thai)
Tawiah, P. A., Baffour-Awuah, A., Effah, E. S., Adu-Fosu, G., Ashinyo, M. E., Alhassan, R. K., Appiah-Brempong, E., & Afriyie-Gyawu, E. (2022). Occupational health hazards among healthcare providers and ancillary staff in Ghana: A scoping review. BMJ Open, 12(10), e064499. https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjopen-2022-064499
Teyton, A., Tremblay, M., Tardif, I., Lemieux, M. A., Nour, K., & Benmarhnia, T. (2022). A longitudinal study on the impact of indoor temperature on heat-related symptoms in older adults living in non–air-conditioned households. Environmental Health Perspectives, 130(7), 077003. https://doi.org/10.1289/EHP10291
Thangkratok, P., Tongtham, A., Palacheewa, N., Makkabphalanon, K., & Trainattawan, W. (2021). Needlestick and sharp injuries in nursing students. KKU Journal for Public Health Research, 14(3), 1–9. (in Thai)
Thoraphan, R., & Prasanwon, K. (2021). Factors influencing the burnout of nursing instructors in North Eastern College Network of Praboromarajchanok Institute. Journal of Boromarajonani College of Nursing, Surin, 11(1), 40–51. (in Thai)
Threerapongphatthana, P., & Likhitkiatkhachorn, P. (2024). Factors affecting the burnout of staff in hospital. Department of Health Service Support Journal, 20(3), 62–72. (in Thai)
Wannasri, W., Saensuk, N., & Theekakase, W. (2021). Factors affecting personnel stress in a University in Sisaket Province. CNU Academic Journal, 8(1), 48–58. https://cnu.ac.th/journal/JournalPDF/8_1_05.pdf (in Thai)
Downloads
Published
How to Cite
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2025 Nursing Journal CMU
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.
บทความที่ได้รับการตีพิมพ์เป็นลิขสิทธิ์ของวารสารพยาบาลสาร
ข้อความที่ปรากฏในบทความแต่ละเรื่องในวารสารวิชาการเล่มนี้เป็นความคิดเห็นส่วนตัวของผู้เขียนแต่ละท่านไม่เกี่ยวข้องกับมหาวิทยาลัยเชียงใหม่ และคณาจารย์ท่านอื่นๆในมหาวิทยาลัยฯ แต่อย่างใด ความรับผิดชอบองค์ประกอบทั้งหมดของบทความแต่ละเรื่องเป็นของผู้เขียนแต่ละท่าน หากมีความผิดพลาดใด ๆ ผู้เขียนแต่ละท่านจะรับผิดชอบบทความของตนเองแต่ผู้เดียว
