Archives of Health Science and Research
Review

Pregnant Health Care Workers Occupational Risk and Protective Approaches

1.

Namık Kemal Üniversitesi Sağlık Yüksekokulu, Hemşirelik Bölümü, Tekirdağ

2.

Trakya Üniversitesi Tıp Fakültesi Halk Sağlığı Anabilim Dalı, Edirne

Arch Health Sci Res 2018; 5: 244-252
DOI: 10.17681/hsp.347847
Read: 2744 Downloads: 1066 Published: 15 December 2019

Health care institutions pose significant risks with regard to the health and safety of employees. Indeed, it has been shown that the health and safety risks faced by healthcare professionals are more than those associated with all other industries. Health care workers, working at work places categorized as very dangerous and hazardous, are exposed to various occupational risks. Exposure to these phycsical, chemical, biological, ergonomic and psycho-social risks during pregnancy have negative effects on maternal and fetal health. Depending on occupational risk factors at workplaces, some exposure may effect the reproductive systems of worker seven at periods of no pregnancy. Exposure at periods of no pregnancy can lead to various fertility disorders where as, during pregnancy this can cause spontan abortus, stillbirth, premature birth, intrauterine growth retardation, low birth weight and/or may cause various malformations. Women are defined as a particular risk group with regard to occupational health and safety, and are under protection within the work environment, due to the negative impact that occupational risk factors may have on fertility-related variables. Therefore, the protection and support of pregnant healthcare professionals within their working environment during pregnancy and particularly the development of appropriate strategies in this regard, must be considered.

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EISSN 2687-4644