Biosafety and disaster preparedness levels among microbiology laboratory personnel in Türkiye: A descriptive study Türkiye’de mikrobiyoloji laboratuvar çalışanlarında biyogüvenlik ve afet hazırlık düzeyi: Tanımlayıcı bir çalışma
Turk Hijyen ve Deneysel Biyoloji Dergisi, cilt.83, sa.3, ss.223-238, 2026 (Scopus, TRDizin)
- Yayın Türü: Makale / Tam Makale
- Cilt numarası: 83 Sayı: 3
- Basım Tarihi: 2026
- Doi Numarası: 10.5505/turkhijyen.2026.35336
- Dergi Adı: Turk Hijyen ve Deneysel Biyoloji Dergisi
- Derginin Tarandığı İndeksler: Scopus, CAB Abstracts, TR DİZİN (ULAKBİM), Academic Search Ultimate (EBSCO)
- Sayfa Sayıları: ss.223-238
- Anahtar Kelimeler: Biosafety, disaster preparedness, laboratory safety, medical microbiology laboratory, quality management, risk assessment
- Açık Arşiv Koleksiyonu: AVESİS Açık Erişim Koleksiyonu
- Hacettepe Üniversitesi Adresli: Evet
Özet
Objective: Medical microbiology laboratories are exposed not only to biorisks but also to secondary risks associated with disasters such as earthquakes and floods. However, studies examining the integration of biosafety and biosecurity practices with disaster preparedness in these laboratories are limited. This study aimed to evaluate perceived safety, disaster preparedness, emergency action plan knowledge, and first-aid knowledge among medical microbiology laboratory staff in Türkiye and to identify the individual and institutional factors influencing these domains. Methods: A cross-sectional online survey was conducted among medical microbiology laboratory staff across Türkiye between July 18 and 30, 2023. The structured questionnaire included five-point Likert-type items assessing perceived safety, disaster preparedness, emergency action plan knowledge, and first-aid knowledge, as well as questions concerning professional experience, laboratory characteristics, biosafety training history, disaster-focused risk assessments, and quality systems. The Perceived Safety Score (PSS), Disaster Preparedness Score (DPS), Emergency Action Plan Knowledge Score (EAPKS), and First-Aid Knowledge Score (FAKS) were calculated using these items. The internal consistency of the scales was assessed using Cronbach's alpha coefficient. Differences between groups and relationships between scores were evaluated using non-parametric tests and Spearman's correlation analysis (p<0.05). Results: A total of 86 individuals participated in the study. Of these, 44.2% had more than 15 years of professional experience, and 75.6% worked in medical microbiology laboratories. Overall, 65.1% of the participants reported receiving biosafety training during their undergraduate or postgraduate education, whereas 61.6% reported receiving biosafety or orientation training upon joining their institution. Moreover, 57.0% stated that biosafety training was provided at least annually at their institution, 54.7% reported that risk assessments for emergencies and disasters were conducted, and 59.3% reported that their institution had a biosafety-focused quality system. Cronbach's alpha coefficients for the PSS, DPS, EAPKS, and FAKS were 0.843, 0.865, 0.930, and 0.895, respectively, indicating high internal consistency. A very strong positive correlation was found between the PSS and DPS (r=0.842; p<0.001). The EAPKS scores of research assistants were significantly lower than those of technicians and academic staff (p=0.003 and p=0.001, respectively). Median PSS, DPS, and EAPKS values were significantly higher among participants with more than 10 years of professional experience and those working at institutions with regular biosafety training, risk assessments, and a quality system (p<0.05). Conclusion: Medical microbiology laboratory staff in Türkiye feel relatively safe regarding routine biosafety; however, their perceived level of disaster preparedness is lower. Strengthening regular and institutionalized biosafety training that incorporates disaster scenarios, emergency risk assessments, first-aid training, and quality systems, particularly for younger and less-experienced staff, appears necessary to enhance laboratory resilience in regions at high risk of disasters.