Occupational Exposure to Blood and Body Fluids among Health-Care Workers in Serbia

Abstract

Objectives: The aim of this study was to examine the epidemiology of occupational accidents and self-reported attitude of health-care workers (HCWs) in Serbia. Subjects and Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among HCWs in selected departments of five tertiary care hospitals and in one secondary care hospital in February 2012. A previously developed self-administered questionnaire was provided to HCWs who had direct daily contact with patients. χ² test and Student's t test were used for statistical analysis of the data. Results: Of the 1,441 potential participants, 983 (68.2%) completed the questionnaire: 655 (66.7%) were nurses/medical technicians, 243 (24.7%) were physicians and 85 (8.6%) were other personnel. Of the 983 participants, 291 (29.6%) HCWs had had at least one accident during the previous year and 106 (40.2%) of them reported it to the responsible person. The highest prevalence (68.6%) of accidents was among nurses/technicians (p = 0.001). Accidents occurred more often in large clinical centers (81.1%; p < 0.001) and in the clinical ward, intensive care unit and operating theater (p = 0.003) than in other departments. Seventy-six (13.1%) nurses/medical technicians had an accident during needle recapping (p < 0.001). Of all the HCWs, 550 (55.9%) were fully vaccinated, including significantly more doctors (154, 63.4%) than participants from other job categories (p < 0.001). Conclusion: There was a relatively high rate of accidents among HCWs in our hospitals, most commonly amongst nurses and staff working in clinical wards, intensive care units and operating theaters. The most common types of accidents were needlestick injuries and accidents due to improper handling of contaminated sharp devices or occuring while cleaning instruments or by coming into contact with blood through damaged skin or through the conjunctiva/mucous membranes.

Evaluation of Injuries Involving Exposure to Blood and Body Fluids Among Hospital Healthcare Workers

“…Studies have shown that needle-sticks are the leading cause of sharp object injuries [7,10,11,13,14] . In our study, needles were involved in most (72.9%, n=27) of the injuries reported to the ICC, and 33% (n=9) of these injuries occurred during needle recapping.…”

“…According to World Health Organization estimates, the scope of immunization ranges from 18% (in Africa) to 77% (in Australia and New Zealand) [23] . In some studies, the vaccination rate has been reported as 36.6% [15] and 56% [14] . The rate of 35.11% (n=158) seen in our hospital was considered close to World Health Organization estimates and it is apparent that more extensive work is needed to ensure the eradication of HBV.…”

Occupational exposure to HIV among healthcare workers in PMTCT sites in Port Harcourt, Nigeria

“…In addition, we found that healthcare workers whose working hours were greater than 40 hours were at higher risk of sustaining occupational exposure to HIV through percutaneous injuries and mucocutaneous contaminations compared with other healthcare workers is not unique as similar study reported same in Mongolia [21]. This is because fatigue and exhaustion could lead to lack of concentration and can further predispose the healthcare worker to occupational exposure.…”

Occupational exposure to HIV among healthcare workers in PMTCT sites in Port Harcourt, Nigeria

“…In addition, we found that healthcare worker whose working hours was greater than 40 hours were at higher risk of sustaining occupational exposure to HIV through percutaneous injuries and mucocutaneous contaminations compared with other healthcare worker is not unique as similar study reported same in Mongolia [21]. This is because fatigue and exhaustion could lead to lack of concentration and can further predispose the healthcare worker to occupational exposure.…”