Work practices of mortuary attendants in Sekondi-Takoradi Metropolis: the role of health and safety guideline of the ministry of health, Ghana

Abstract

Mortuary Attendants (MAs) have 100-200 times greater chance of experiencing unknown threats while processing dead bodies (Chui, Chong, Chong, & Wagener,

2007). Therefore, there is the need to protect them from these threats. The purpose

of this study was to explore how the Occupational Health and Safety (OHS)

Policy Guideline of Ministry of Health (MoH) was influencing the work practices

of MAs in the Sekondi-Takoradi Metropolis (STM). A descriptive qualitative method was used to study the MAs. Three purposively sampled mortuary facilities (Effman’s Clinic, Takoradi Hospital, Western Regional Hospital), with a total population of 37 participants were studied. They included all the 16 MAs

and 21 Senior Hospital Officers as key informants on safety issues at the morgues.

A researcher-generated interview guide, Botha’s Interview Guide, and an adapted mortuary assessment checklist were used to collect data. Qualitative content analysis was used to analyse data, reporting the data verbatim and organising it under themes based on the research objectives. The results revealed low

awareness and knowledge among MAs about the OHS Policy Guide of MoH.

Also, MAs in STM reported many health and safety hazards, which may

adversely affect their health conditions, especially at long-term. Further, managers

of health facilities in STM have not provided enough structures towards improving safety working environment for MAs. Health managers in STM are entreated to increase the provision of Personal Protective Equipment to MAs and intensify monitoring and supervision of mortuary facilities.