A Qualitative Analysis of Factors Related to Unsafe Work Behaviors Among Environmental Service Workers in the COVID-19 Era: Perspectives of Workers, and Safety Managers: The Case of Government Hospitals in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

Background: The Environmental service profession is hazardous, partially because of the work's inherently dangerous nature. Thus, injuries, accidents, and illnesses result in substantial financial and social losses. The most common immediate cause of these work-related incidents is unsafe work-behavior; the first step in taking steps to prevent unsafe behavior is to recognize the factors promoting it. The goal of this study was to (a) investigate the attitudes and perceptions of safety among the employees and safety managers of Coronavirus treatment hospitals in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia and (b) identify the factors that inhibit safe work behaviors. Methods: Two qualitative data collection approaches, namely key informant interviews and individual in-depth interviews, were used to collect data for this study. Twenty-five participants were recruited from three Coronavirus treatment facilities using a modified convenience sampling strategy, and interviews were conducted to gain a detailed understanding of factors that serve as barriers to safe work behavior. The interviews were recorded and transcribed in Amharic (the local language) and then translated into English. Open Code 4.02 was used for thematic analysis. Results: Poor safety management and supervision, unsafe work environment, and perceptions, skills, and training level of employees were established as the major factors associated with the prevailing unsafe work behavior among environmental service employees. Conclusions: The present study showed that different types of personal and environmental factors may discourage safe work behavior among environmental service workers. To minimize or remove these risk factors for unsafe behaviors, the individual's obligation is important, but the role of management is critical in providing resources for safe work behavior.