Evaluation of Preservative Practices and Occupational Exposures in Nigerian Public and Private Mortuary Settings

Morgue workers in resource-limited settings face hazards, with the availability of personal protective equipment, risk exposure, and safety training as key determinants of safety. This study employed a descriptive, cross-sectional survey design to systematically evaluate the availability of personal protective equipment, the prevalence of risk exposure, and the accessibility of safety training among morgue workers in public and private mortuaries within the Oredo Local Government Area (LGA), Benin City, Nigeria. A stratified random sampling technique was utilized to recruit a total of 60 morgue workers, and data were collected via structured questionnaires. Quantitative data underwent descriptive statistical analysis using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences. The findings revealed a statistically significant disparity in personal protective equipment availability, with workers in public mortuaries reporting access to a significantly lower range of personal protective equipment compared to their counterparts in private facilities (p=0.001). Furthermore, a significantly higher proportion of public morgue workers (53.8%) reported exposure to physical risks compared to private morgue workers (0.0%) (p=0.001). Access to safety training also demonstrated a statistically significant difference, with 84.6% of public morgue workers reporting a lack of training compared to 45.5% in private mortuaries (p=0.022). This study underscores inter-institutional disparities in personal protective equipment availability, risk exposure, and access to safety training. Public mortuaries exhibit heightened vulnerability due to inadequate provisions, while private mortuaries demonstrate better safety measures. These findings necessitate targeted interventions - financial investment and safety training programs in public mortuaries - to enhance the occupational health and safety of this essential workforce.

Key Words: morgue workers, occupational hazards, personal protective equipment, risk exposure