Knowledge and Practice of Biosafety Among Laboratory Staff Working in Clinical Laboratories in Yemen

Abstract

This study was conducted to assess the knowledge and practices of laboratory standard precautions (LSP) among laboratory staff working in Yemen clinical laboratories. A cross-sectional study was conducted among all laboratory staff in main public and private laboratories between September and October 2015. Data were collected using a self-reported questionnaire. A total of 362 participants had filled the study questionnaire with a response rate of 94%. Of the private and public laboratory staff, 67% and 32% had received training on biosafety (P < .001), respectively. Only 18% of respondents had received the biosafety manual (49% in private laboratories and 11% in public laboratories, P < .001). Overall, only 38% of respondents had good knowledge of LSP, 49% had fair knowledge, and 13% had poor knowledge. Only 32% of respondents had good practice of LSP, 59% had fair practice level, and 9% had poor practice. In conclusion, this study showed fair to poor biosafety knowledge and practices among laboratory staff as well as weak commitment to biosafety policies as reflected by low percentage of laboratory staff who received a biosafety manual and training. This finding underlines the need to strengthen the biosafety program and policies in laboratories in Yemen.

Assessment of biosafety measures in clinical laboratories of Al-Madinah city, Saudi Arabia

“…Similar numbers to that of Sudan were reported in a study from Pakistan [22]. In a recent study from Yemen, of the private and public laboratory staff, 67% and 32% had training in biosafety [27]. In this study, training in biosafety among participants was similar in both private and public sectors.…”

Assessment of Occupational Safety Practices Among Medical Laboratory Staff in Governmental Hospitals in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

“…For example, previous studies from Sudan and Pakistan reported that about 60-84.2% of the respondents did not have any training in biosafety (52) . In a study from Yemen, of the private and public laboratory staff, 67% and 32% had training in biosafety (53) .…”

“…This research is a cross-sectional descriptive study in the form of a survey to analyze practices and safety performance through a structured questionnaire and checklist. The Questionnaire used for data collection in the current study was a Self-administered validated structured questionnaire (53) and observation checklist, which were developed, and pretested by us by using guidelines on universal work precautions, based on previous studies . (38)(39)(40) The questionnaire was prepared Information sought included socio-demographic Characteristics such as age, sex, marital status and duration of working experience.…”

Yemen field epidemiology training programme: a tool for strengthening the public health workforce

“…Since its establishment, Y-FETP has presented 46 oral and 24 poster presentations in international, regional and national conferences (Tables 2-5), covering outbreak investigations, surveillance analyses, surveillance evaluations and epidemiological studies. In addition, six articles were published (14)(15)(16)(17)(18)(19), one is accepted (20), and four are under review in peer-reviewed journals. Furthermore, Y-FETP conducted the First and Second National Yemen Field Epidemiology Training Programme Conferences in February 2014 and February 2016, with participation of more than 300 public health professionals from the central and governorate levels as well as partners such as WHO, UNICEF, EMPHNET and regional FETP country programmes (21,22).…”