Transnational Journal of Science and Technology October 2012 edition vol.2, No.

AWARENESS AND USE OF PERSONNEL PROTECTIVE

EQUIPMENT (PPE) AND PRACTICE OF SAFETY
PRECAUTIONS AMONG FUNERAL HOME WORKERS IN
LAGOS STATE

T.S. Oguntona
Department of Medical Biochemistry Lagos State University College Of Medicine, Ikeja,
Lagos, Nigeria

O.O. Adedeji
Department of Chemical Pathology, Lagos State University College Of Medicine
(LASUCOM) Ikeja, Lagos, Nigeria

DebayoOgunsola
TOS Funerals, Block K, Plot 16, Alausa C.B.D., Ikeja, Lagos, Nigeria

Abstract:
BACKGROUND: funeral home workers are exposed to health hazards like every other
worker. The hazards include dangerous chemicals, infected body fluids, needle pricks and
infectious diseases. It is therefore important for funeral home workers to be aware of the
Personnel Protective Equipment (PPE) and the practice of safety precautions peculiar to their
work.
Objectives. The aim of this study was to determine the level of awareness, use of personnel
protective equipment (PPE) and practice of safety precaution among funeral home workers in
lagos state.
METHODS: A descriptive, cross sectional study was carried out among funeral home
workers in Ikeja, Lagos. A self administered questionnaire was administered between july
and august 2012. Data was analyzed using EPI-INFO 2002 with p-value of 0.05.
Result: The staff showed a minimum of 50% knowledge of available protective devices and
safety procedures in their work place however the perception to constant use of this device

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and procedure is below acceptable level except the use of apron (81.25%), gloves (81.25%)
hand washing (87.5%).
Conclusion

Keywords: Funeral homes, hazard, body fluids, precaution

Introduction
Workplace exposure and hazards could cause devastating effects on health and quality
of life. Occupational exposure to body fluids can result from percutaneous injury (needle
stick or sharp injury), mucocutaneous injury (splash of blood or other body fluids into the
eyes, nose or mouth) or body contact with non- intact skin. The most common form of
occupational exposure to blood and the most likely to cause infection is the needle stick
injury (WHO/EHT/03.11)
About 3 million health workers experience percutaneous exposure to blood borne
pathogens each year, 2 million of these are exposed to hepatitis B virus (HBV), 0.9million, to
hepatitis C virus (HCV), and 170,000 to Human immunodeficiency Virus (HIV). These
injuries may result in 15,000 HCV, 70,000 HBV and 1000 HIV.
More than 90% of these infections occur in developing countries. These exposures
and hazards could be reduced by applying universal precautions as well as a safety measures.
(Garner J.B.) The term universal basic precaution was introduced in 1985 by Garner. A
number of studies from developing countries have examined knowledge attitude and
compliance of doctors and nurses towards standard precautions (Orji et al and Rana et al).
Unfortunately the knowledge and understanding of universal precautions among health
workers in general is poor and these have not been well assessed among workers in funeral
homes.
METHODS: A cross sectional study was carried on the awareness and use of
Personnel Protective Equipment (PPE) among funeral home workers in Lagos state. Funeral
homes that had branches across the state were identified. Random sampling was done to
select funeral homes that were used. In this study both male and female staff were recruited
from the funeral home. An individualized self administered questionnaire was provided
between july and august 2012. The questionnaire had open and closed ended questions and
was in four parts. Part A was on biodata, part B on knowledge where respondents were asked
on their knowledge about personal preventive equipments such as boots, safety goggle,
helmets, apron, latex gloves, nose mask, face shield and laboratory coat/scrubs, Part C was on
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attitude and respondents were asked about their opinion on the use of PPE while Part D was
on use of Personal protective Equipment and practice of safety precautions. Questionnaires
were collected back immediately after completion and analyzed by using EPI-INFO 2002

Results:
Table 1 This table shows age distribution, sex, marital status and religion.
Age group Percentages (%)
(years)
20-25 2.38
26-30 21.42
31-35 28.57
36-40 14.28
>40 33.33
Gender
Male 77.78
female 22.22
Religion
Christians 80
Muslims 20
Marital Status
Single 33.33
Married 66.67

Divorcee 0

A total of 45 staff were surveyed, 2.38% were between the age bracket 20-25 years,
21.42% between 26-30, 28.57% were between 31-35 years, 14.28% were between 36-40
years and the remaining 33.33% were over 40years of age. 77.78% were males while 22.22%
were females. 80% were Christians and 20 % were Muslims. 33.33% were single while
66.67% were married.

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Table 2 knowledge of Personal Protective Equipment.

Personal Protective Percentage %
Equipment
Boots 100
Nose mask 100
Apron 93.75
Laboratory coat/scrub 93.75
Gloves 93.75
Safety goggles 68.75
Helmet/cap 50
Plastic face shield 50

100% of the staff agreed that boots and nose mask were protective apparatus while
93.75% agreed that apron, gloves and laboratory coat/scrubs were protective materials.
68.75% agreed that safety goggle were protective device, 50% agreed that helmet/cap and
plastic face shield were protective device.

Table 3 Respondents attitude to Personal Protective Equipment

Personal Protective Should be worn always % Should be worn
Equipment occasionally (%)
Boot 37.5 18.75
Nose Mask 31.25 18.75
Scrub 50 12.5
Gloves 81.25 18.75
Safety goggle 31.25 18.75
Apron 81.25 12.5
Helmet/cap 18.75 81.25
Plastic face shield 12.5 50

Of the 100% that believed boot is a protective device only 37.5% agreed that it should
be worn always while 18.75% agreed that it should be worn occasionally.
31.25% were of the opinion that nose mask should be worn all the time while 18.75%
agreed that it should be worn most times.

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50% agreed that scrubs should be worn all the time while 12.5% agreed that it should be
worn occasionally.
81.25% believe that gloves should be worn all the time.
31.25% were of the opinion that safety goggle should be worn occasionally while
18.75% said it should never be occasionally.

Table 4 knowledge and Attitude of Respondents to Safety Procedures

Procedures Knowledge (%) Should be done Should be done
always (%) occasionally (%)
Hand Washing 100 75 12.5
Disinfection of 68.75 68.75 0
Vehicles
Disinfection of 81.25 68.75 12.5
Equipment

100% of the staff agreed that hand washing was a safety procedure but only 75% were
of the opinion that hand washing should be practice always while 12.5% were of the opinion
that it should be occasionally.
68.75% agreed that disinfection of vehicles was a safety procedure and same agreed
that it should be done always, while 81.25% agreed that disinfection of equipments, 68.75%
were of the this should be done always while 12.5% agreed that it should be done
occasionally said it should be occasionally.

Table 5: Reasons Identified For Poor Use of Personal Protective Equipment

Non availability of Personal Protective 6.67
Equipment (%)
Over site on benefits of PPE (%) 88.89
Poor knowledge of occupational hazard 66.67
associated with inconsistent use of PEP
(%)
Level of contact with bodies (%) 44.44
Discomfort from use of PPE (%) 6.67

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88.89% of our respondents under estimated the benefits of PPE, 66.67% did not know
that inconsistent use of PEP could result in exposure to health hazard. 44.44% were of the
opinion that contact with corpse and body fluids were minimal while 6.67% said that non
availability of PPE and discomfort from use were responsible for the poor use.

Discussion
This study was done to determine the level of awareness and Use of Personnel
Protective Equipment (PPE) and practice of safety precautions among funeral home workers
in Lagos state. Working with cadavers in a mortuary can predispose workers to infectious
diseases such as cholera, plague, typhoid, tuberculosis, hepatitis B and C and Human
immunodeficiency virus therefore it is important to protect the workers.
The staff showed a minimum of 50% knowledge of all protective devices and safety
procedures in their work place however the perception to constant use of this device and
procedure is below acceptable level with over 10% of the respondents of the opinion that
scrubs, safety goggle, disinfection of equipment and vehicles should be done occasionally or
never except in use of apron (81.25%), gloves (81.25%) hand washing (87.5%). The risk of
occupationally acquired blood borne infections has been characterized in population of
hospital workers but data on mortuary workers are spare (Turner et al 1989) and yet the risk
of acquiring blood borne diseases is even higher among mortuary workers because of
frequent occupational exposure to infected body fluids (occupational safety and health
administration, 1990).
Studies have estimated the risk of infection with the HIV to be 0.4% following
exposure ( Beekman et al 1990) and this should be higher in mortuary staff.
Michalsen et al finding was similar to our findings that glove use among hospital
workers was 94%, and wearing of protective clothing 55% . Ignatius et al also reported high
use of gloves among printing workers 75.6%, 56.1% practice hand washing.

Conclusion
In conclusion, the results obtained in this study have established that workers of
funeral homes in Lagos state have good knowledge of personal protective equipment and
safety precautions with an average of over 50% in PPE and safety precautions but there
attitude and usage is low with over 10% of the respondents of the opinion that scrubs, safety
goggle, disinfection of equipment and vehicles should be done occasionally.

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Over 65% of our respondents under estimated the benefits of PPE, or did not know
that inconsistent use of PEP could still result in exposure to health hazard, and these can still
predispose them to occupational hazard.

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