Assessing Knowledge and Usage of Personal Protective Equipment among Hotel Employees in Calabar Municipality, Nigeria

The study investigated the level of awareness, availability and the utilization of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) among hotel employees in Calabar Municipality. A mixed- method design was employed for the study, combining quantitative surveys with qualitative interviews and supplemented by observational checklist to verify real time workplace safety practices. The study population comprised 249 duly registered hotels in Calabar Municipality, from which 25 hotels (10%) were sampled. Respondents included hotel staff across various departments such as kitchen, reception, maintenance and housekeeping. Data were collected using structured questionnaire and checklists, with 186 staff members selected based on the criterion of having worked in that hotel for a minimum of two years. Hypothesis was tested using the Pearson Product Moment Correlation (PPMC). Result indicated a weak positive correlation between PPE availability and utilization (r =.36, n=7, p>.05), suggesting that the relationship was likely due to random chance and not a real connection, hence statistically was not significant. The study also revealed low awareness of job related hazards, low PPE awareness, limited availability and poor utilization of PPE among hotel staff with significant departmental differences. These findings highlight the gaps in occupational health and safety practices within hotels, which may increase the risk of injury and infection among certain groups of workers. Therefore the study recommends regular trainings on occupational hazards and the provision of adequate PPE across all hotel departments in Calabar Municipality to enhance safety culture and protect workers’ health.