Assessment of work-related health problems among healthcare professionals in a Tertiary Care Hospital

Background: Healthcare profession is known to be at high risk for work-related health problems that are responsible for lowering the quality of workers life and reducing the productivity. Aims: This study aims to evaluate the work-related health problems and self-medication among healthcare professionals (HCPs). Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional observational survey conducted for 1 month, which included all HCP willing to participate in the study. Data including demographic details, food habits, working schedule, health issues due to work, medication history, and current medication were collected through a self-designed questionnaire. The collected data were analyzed and interpreted using descriptive statistics. Results: Out of 200 HCP, 118 were nurses and 82 were doctors. Most of them were female (77%) within an age group of 21–25 years (69%) and a majority of them were unmarried (78%). Meals were frequently skipped (90%), and most of them had food from outside (70%). A majority of the HCP had work-related health problems, mainly including low back pain (68%), acidity (66%), and muscle pain (60%). Self-medication practice was observed in 92% of the HCP wherein most of them were over-the-counter (OTC) drugs, including ibuprofen + paracetamol (73%), paracetamol (70%), and pantoprazole (63%). Prescription drugs included naproxen (56%) and nimesulide (35%). Conclusions: Majority of the HCP had work-related health problems such as low back pain, acidity, muscle pain, and headache. Self-medication was practiced commonly, mostly including OTC drugs such as ibuprofen with paracetamol combination, paracetamol, and pantoprazole, and prescription drugs such as naproxen and nimesulide.