Occupational Nosocomial Skin Infections Among Nursing Staff in Baqubah Teaching Hospitals.

Abstract

Background:Health care workers especially nursing staff are at risk of acquiringnosocomial skin infections through occupational exposure.Nosocomial skin infections(NCSI)can be caused by viruses, bacteria, fungi and parasite. Aims:To determine the prevalence of occupational nosocomial skin infections among the nursing staff in Baqubah teaching hospitals and to assess the factors responsible fornon-compliance of infection control measures amongst nursing staff. Patients and Methods:A cross sectional study was conducted among nurses in two teaching hospitals in Baqubah cityfrom 1 st September 2015 to 31 th of March 2016.Special questionnaires were used to determine the prevalence of nosocomial skin infections among 200 nurses who worked at the twohospitals were chosen randomly, anddermatological examination was performed by dermatological specialist. p < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results:The prevalence of occupational nosocomial skin infections was (53/200) (26.5%) and it was most common in Baqubah teaching hospital; (68%) in medical ICU and (64%) in surgical departments. The majority of cases were infected with scabies (73.5%), other infections;fungal infection (15%), while pediculosis, warts, molluscumcontagiosum each one compose (4%) of infections.High prevalence was among males (62%), with age group more than 35 years old (47%), with bad hand hygiene (41%). Conclusions:We conclude that scabies were the most common occupational nosocomial skin infections among the male nursing staff with age group more than 35 years old, with bad hand hygiene, working in Baqubah teaching hospital.