Lived Experiences of Deathcare Workers in Managing Infectious Dead Bodies

Deathcare workers in resource-limited countries are chronically exposed to infectious diseases, mainly due to a lack of effective safety controls, inadequate resources, poor training and laxity on the part of industry managers. However, there is limited evidence from these countries, and very little is known about how deathcare workers manage infectious dead bodies. The aim of this study is to explore the experiences of deathcare workers involved in the management of infectious dead bodies in Ghana.

Using purposive sampling, data were collected from 32 deathcare workers using 11-item semi-structured in-person interview guide. An observation checklist was also used to gather additional data on on-site safety practices. Thematic analysis was conducted using the realistic phenomenological approach.

We found that there were no clearly defined safety control systems (engineering, administrative and personal protective equipment supply and use) in place to protect workers against infectious diseases. For example, there were no separate storage facilities for infectious dead bodies. The workers were also exposed to various types of psychosocial hazards, such as heavy workload and dirty and disorganised work environments, which could affect their self-esteem, life satisfaction and coping skills. Additionally, these workers reported feeling humiliated, receiving poor remuneration and lacking opportunity for career progression.

The deathcare workers in Ghana were not adequately prepared to handle infectious dead bodies, which put them at risk for infection and increased the psychosocial hazards at work. These workers may resort to unhealthy coping strategies, which require urgent attention. Future research should use qualitative approaches to investigate the working relationships between deathcare workers and their managers.