ObjectiveTo estimate the lifetime and 12-month prevalence of occupational exposure to body fluids among health-care workers in Africa.MethodsEmbase®, PubMed® and CINAHL databases were systematically searched for studies published between January 2000 and August 2017 that reported the prevalence of occupational exposure to blood or other body fluids among health-care workers in Africa. The continent-wide prevalence of exposure was estimated using random-effects meta-analysis.FindingsOf the 904 articles identified, 65 studies from 21 African countries were included. The estimated pooled lifetime and 12-month prevalence of occupational exposure to body fluids were 65.7% (95% confidence interval, CI: 59.7–71.6) and 48.0% (95% CI: 40.7–55.3), respectively. Exposure was largely due to percutaneous injury, which had an estimated 12-month prevalence of 36.0% (95% CI: 31.2–40.8). The pooled 12-month prevalence of occupational exposure among medical doctors (excluding surgeons), nurses (including midwives and nursing assistants) and laboratory staff (including laboratory technicians) was 46.6% (95% CI: 33.5–59.7), 44.6% (95% CI: 34.1–55.0) and 34.3% (95% CI: 21.8–46.7), respectively. The risk of exposure was higher among health-care workers with no training on infection prevention and those who worked more than 40 hours per week.ConclusionThe evidence available suggests that almost one half of health-care workers in Africa were occupationally exposed to body fluids annually. However, a lack of data from some countries was a major limitation. National governments and health-care institutions across Africa should prioritize efforts to minimize occupational exposure among health-care workers.

Background: Health-care workers (HCWs) are at risk of occupational exposure to bloodborne pathogens through contact with human blood and other body fluids. This study was conducted to estimate the global and regional one-year prevalence of percutaneous injuries (PCIs) among HCWs. Methods: We systematically searched EMBASE, PubMed, CINAHL and PsychInfo databases for studies published from January 2008 to January 2018 that reported the prevalence of PCIs among HCWs. A random effects meta-analysis was conducted to estimate pooled prevalence of PCIs among HCWs. Results: Of the 5205 articles identified, 148 studies from 43 countries met the inclusion criteria. The pooled global one-year prevalence estimate of PCIs was 36.4% (95% CI: 32.9-40.0). There were substantial regional variations in the one-year prevalence of PCIs, ranging from 7.7% (95% CI: 3.1-12.4) in South America to 43.2% (95% CI: 38.3-48.0) in Asia. The estimates for Africa and Europe were comparable with values of 34.5% (95% CI: 29.9-39.1) and 31.8% (95% CI: 25.0-38.5), respectively. The highest one-year prevalence by job category was among surgeons at 72.6% (95% CI: 58.0-87.2). The estimates for medical doctors (excluding surgeons), nurses (including midwives) and laboratory staff (including laboratory technicians) were 44.5% (95% CI: 37.5-51.5), 40.9% (95% CI: 35.2-46.7) and 32.4% (95% CI: 20.9-49.3), respectively. PCIs commonly occurred among HCWs working in hospital (41.8%, 95% CI: 37.6-46.0) than non-hospital (7.5%, 95% CI: 5.9-9.1) settings. Conclusion: Our findings suggest high rates of PCIs among HCWs with direct patient care across many regions of the world. However, paucity of data from some countries was a major limitation.

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Background: Currently in Nigeria, prescription only medicines are supposed to be dispensed only with a prescription. The study aimed to reveal the prevalence of prescription only medicine without a prescription and the perception of community pharmacist in Makurdi, Benue State Nigeria towards the phenomenon. Method: The study was carried out between February–April 2019 using simulated patient approach and administration of questionnaire on the pharmacists. Result: Forty pharmacies were surveyed and 100% (29) of the respondents were willing to dispense prescription only medicines without a prescription. Among the respondents, 93% (27) said they do see up to an estimated 30% of POMs without a prescription daily. While 19.2% (5) of the pharmacists do dispense POM without a prescription, 42.3% (11) said they do so depend on the level of education or prior exposure of the client to the medication. Only 38.5% (10) said they will not dispense a POM without a prescription. Most of the pharmacists, 93% (27) agreed that dispensing POM without with a prescription holds potentials for drug abuse, drug misuse, drug dependence with attendant economic consequences. Conclusion: A vast majority of practicing community pharmacists in Nigeria are willing and do dispense prescription-only medications without a valid prescription; for a variety of reasons. This is against existing Nigerian pharmacy laws and the national drug policy.