Vol. 2, Issue 2, Part A (2025)

Occupational exposure and workload pressures among community health nurses can pose significant risks not only to the nurses themselves but also to the quality of care delivered. This research aims to assess the prevalence of exposure to biological and ergonomic hazards among community health nurses, examine their preventive practices (such as adherence to standard precautions and use of personal protective equipment), and evaluate associations between workload patterns and risk of occupational exposure. Data were collected through a cross-sectional survey of 350 community health nurses working in various primary and community health settings. The questionnaire included items on demographic/workload variables, history of needlestick or sharps injuries, compliance with preventive practices, frequency of prolonged working hours, and subjective workload stress. Analysis revealed that 28% of nurses reported at least one needlestick or sharps injury in the past year; compliance with recommended protective practices was moderate (average compliance score 62.4%). Nurses working more than 48 hours per week had significantly higher odds (OR = 2.1, 95% CI 1.3-3.4) of reporting occupational exposure compared to those working fewer hours. The research underscores a pressing need for regular training on standard precautions, improved availability of protective equipment, and workload management to reduce occupational hazards among community health nurses. The findings highlight the gap between knowledge and actual preventive behaviour under high workload conditions, warranting institutional interventions for safer working environments.