Knowledge and practices regarding fire safety amongst health care workers in tertiary care teaching hospital in Marathwada region of Maharashtra, India

Abstract

Background: Fire in any occupancy has the potential to cause harm to its occupants and severe damage to property. Fire accident in hospital can lead many injury and death. Knowledge and practices of health care workers about fire safety prevention can save many lives. The objective was to assess the knowledge and practices on fire safety amongst health care workers in tertiary care teaching hospital in Marathwada region in Maharashtra, India.Methods: A cross-sectional study was carried out amongst 202 health care workers in tertiary care teaching hospital in Marathwada region in Maharashtra during the period of January to April 2016. Data was analyzed in the form of percentage, proportion and z-test.Results: Out of 202 participants, majority 61.39% were females, 43.56% were in the age of 18-27 years, 28.21% were GNM, 34.16% were staff nurse, and 85.15% had 1-4 years of work experience. 96.4% had correct knowledge about what to do when there is fire accident, 81.68%, had correctly answered the question about DCP fire extinguishers can be used for A, B, C classes of fire.Conclusions: Majority of health care workers had significant knowledge but still considering the important role of every employee in fire accident there is a importance need to give fire safety training for all health care workers on timely interval.