Midwifery and nursing students' occupational health hazards and safety competence perceptions: a cross-sectional...

The study was aimed at investigating occupational health hazards that midwifery and nursing students are exposed to during their clinical practice and their perceptions of occupational safety competence.

The study included 289 midwifery and 458 nursing students. Data were collected using the Student Information Form and Occupational Health and Safety Perceived Competency Scale.

During their clinical practice, students were most frequently exposed to sharps injuries. Most students who experienced an occupational accident reported the incident to more than one authority. Multiple linear regression analysis indicated that the factors predicting occupational safety competence perceptions were department, choosing the department willingly, perceiving the training adequate, and being aware of the occupational health and safety measures.

This study identified that midwifery and nursing students are most frequently exposed to sharps injuries during clinical practice, primarily due to inexperience and inattention. Students who received adequate occupational health and safety training, chose their department willingly, and were aware of preventive measures demonstrated higher perceived occupational safety competence. The findings confirm that both educational background and personal factors significantly affect students' safety perceptions, highlighting the need for comprehensive and standardized occupational health and safety training in health education programs.