[Occupational exposures to blood and body fluids among health care workers: a questionary survey]

Abstract

The major concern following occupational exposures of the health care workers is the possible transmission of blood-borne pathogens, especially hepatitis B virus (HBV), hepatitis C virus (HCV) and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). This questionary survey was undertaken to determine the frequency and epidemiological characteristics of incidents involving biological exposures to blood and body fluids among health care workers (HCWs), at a University Hospital, in Izmir, Turkey. The survey was conducted using a questionnaire including questions related to demographics and epidemiological information. A total of 350 HCWs [162 physicians (academicians, seniors and juniors), 71 nurses, 55 interns of medical faculty, 45 cleaning staff, 12 nurse's aides, five technical/ managerial staff] were included to the survey. Of them, 203 (58%) have reported at least one exposure, 108 (%53.2) of them were physicians (p < 0.000) and 53 (26.1%) were nurses. The highest injury rate was reported by the nurse group (74.6%) followed by physicians (66.7%), cleaning staffs (57.8%) and interns (23.6%). Most of the occupational injuries (62.5%) have eventuated in the last one year. Types of exposure included percutaneous injury (97%) which was commonly caused by needle recapping (36%), suturing (25.6%) and handling of garbage bags (10.3%). Of the exposed HCWs, 138 (68%) have reported to use a protective equipment during the exposure and only 51.7% sought for medical assistance from the related department. Among 350 HCWs, 291 (83.1%) had been previously vaccinated against HBV, while two (0.6%) HCWs were chronically infected with HBV, unrelated with exposures. No transmission was reported following 16 incidents, in which the index patient was HBV, HCV or HIV carrier. In conclusion, percutanenous injuries are still common among HCWs. The results support the importance of the use of universal precautions and safety-enhanced devices, introducing effective training and efficient vaccination programs against HBV, in the clinical settings.