A Cross-Sectional Survey on Occupational Blood and Body Fluid Exposure Risk in a Tertiary Hospital in East Malaysia

Abstract

Background and Aim Healthcare workers (HCWs) routinely experience occupational blood and body fluid exposure (OBBE), including percutaneous injury and splash exposure to non-intact skin. The objective of this study was to determine the prevalence of OBBE and identify associated risk factors. Methods A cross-sectional study was performed on 334 HCWs at 9 workstations. Data were collected with a self-administered questionnaire that consisted of four parts: sociodemographic variables, work-related information, knowledge about needle stick and sharps injury and splash exposure, and information regarding previous OBBE incidents. The data were analyzed by SPSS version 22.0 software. Findings The prevalence of OBBE was 25.1% (95% confidence interval: 20.6–30.2), mostly due to percutaneous injuries, which were not reported to authorities. The highest proportions were among nurses and those working in the medical ward. Needle recapping practices were associated with almost a four-times higher risk of OBBE compared to no-recapping practices. HCWs who did not have any infection prevention training had a three-times higher risk of OBBE. Conclusion Factors associated with OBBE are unsafe work practices, inadequate infection prevention training, and lack of knowledge regarding blood-borne infection. There is a need for more training and increased awareness about the risks of OBBE to reduce unsafe practices.

Occupational Disease and Injury in Malaysia: A Thematic Review of Literature from 2016 to 2021

“…The literature mainly focuses on non-fatal occupational injury than fatal injury. HCWs were at risk of needle stick injury and exposing them to the blood-borne disease [ 71 – 73 ]. Heat injury was described among outdoor workers such as farmers, forestry workers, and municipal workers [ 74 – 76 ].…”

The Prevalence of Occupational Accidents and the Associated Factors Among Janitorial Staff at a University Teaching Hospital in South Ethiopia

“…Similarly different studies had shown that HCWs who did not take infection prevention training were more likely exposed to injuries. [27][28][29] Participants with poor awareness of infection prevention and control strategies, on the other hand, were less likely to experience occupational injuries than those with good or fair knowledge. Similarly, a meta-analysis conducted in Africa found that a lack of information about needle stick injury prevention methods was associated with a decreased likelihood of occupational needle stick injuries.…”