Journal of Community & Public Health Nursing
Open Access

Abstract

Fire prevention and control is an important component of a health and safety programme. There is evidence that fire can have a devastating impact in the workplace and other areas. The purpose of this study was to assess the knowledge and attitudes of healthcare workers towards fire prevention and control practices at Diagnofirm Medical Laboratories. Comprehensive Fire Safety Effectiveness model was used as a conceptual framework. A descriptive study design was used. A convenience sample of thirty subjects was recruited and data collected using a structured questionnaire. The results showed that there was a huge knowledge gap since only 67% of employees knew what was meant by the acronym RACE, whereas 77% were trained on fire safety. Furthermore, only 60% managed to identify workplace fire hazards, reflecting the knowledge gap towards fire prevention activities. Despite the training the employees had received, they still reflected a knowledge gap towards fire safety measures. Dignofirm employees attitude was also found to be of great concern. The majority (54%) did not know the significance of reporting a fire hazard, hence such attitude hampers fire prevention efforts at the workplace The major factor that was found to deter participation was the management lagging behind in encouraging employees to participate in fire safety. It is therefore strongly recommended that conducting more training and refresher courses through orientation and continuing education enhances the knowledge and attitude of employees toward fire safety. A replication of the study using a bigger sample will enhance the generalization of the results beyond the study sample.

Biography

Innocent Meki has completed his BSc Nursing Science majoring in Occupational Safety Health at the age of 38 from the Zimbabwe Open University. He is a registered nurse at Diagnofirm Medical Laboratories in Botswana.

E-mail: mekinnocent@gmail.com