NURSING TECHNICIANS’ PERCEPTIONS REGARDING THE OCCUPATIONAL RISKS IN VACCINATION ROOMS

Abstract

This descriptive study with a qualitative approach aimed to identify the occupational risks in vaccinations. A total of 10 nursing technicians participated in the research; these worked in five vaccination rooms in a municipality in the North-west of the state of Rio Grande do Sul. The data were collected through semi-structured interviews and simple observation, and were analyzed using thematic analysis in the period March – May 2012. It was observed that the vaccination rooms present innumerable occupational risks – and that many workers do not perceive these. There was a work surface with a basin for handwashing, but these were at a very low height in the five rooms observed, in addition to there being inadequate lighting in all rooms. The vaccinators understand occupational risks as relating only to work accidents. The attention of the municipal service for the promotion of worker’s health could add value to the quality in these subjects’ work.

Keywords

• Vaccines
• Occupational risks
• Health professionals