Patients-to-healthcare workers HIV transmission risk from sharp injuries, Southern Ethiopia

Abstract

Background: Accidental needlestick injury rate among healthcare workers in Hawassa is extremely high. Epidemiological findings proved the infectious potential of this injury contaminated with a Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV)-infected patient's blood.Objective: This study aimed at estimating the risk of HIV transmission from patients to healthcare workers in Hawassa City, Ethiopia.Method: A probabilistic risk model was employed. Scenario-based assumptions were made for the values of parameters following a review of published reports between 2007 and 2010.Parameters: HIV prevalence, needlestick injury rate, exposure rate, sero-conversion rate, risk of HIV transmission and cumulative risk of HIV transmission.Finding: Generally, healthcare workers in Hawassa are considered to be at a relatively low (0.0035%) occupational risk of contracting HIV -less than 4 in 100,000 of healthcare workers in the town (1 in 28,751 workers a year). The 30 years' maximum cumulative risk estimate is approximately five healthcare workers per 1000 workers in the study area. Still, this small number should be considered a serious matter requiring post-exposure prophylaxis following exposure to unsafe medical practice leading to HIV infection. Conclusions: D'un point de vue général, à Hawassa, les professionnels de la santé sont exposés à un risque professionnel de contracter le VIH relativement faible (0.0035%), soit moins de quatre sur cent mille professionnels de la santé dans la ville (un professionnel sur 28,751 par an). Les estimations du risque cumulatif maximum sur 30 ans sont d'environ cinq professionnels de la santé pour 100 dans la zone d'étude. Ce petit nombre devrait néanmoins être considéré comme une question grave, nécessitant une prophylaxie post-exposition suite à une exposition à une pratique médicale dangereuse conduisant à l'infection par le VIH.Mots clés: risque de transmission du VIH, professionals de la santé, Hawassa

Sharp Injuries and Associated Factors Among Health Care Professionals in Western Wollega Public Hospitals, West Ethiopia

“…[1,2] The worldwide incidence of percutaneous injury with a sharp object among the HCWs is estimated to be 3 million every year where a chance of four injuries per healthcare worker could occur annually [5,6]. Exposure to unsafe blood as a consequence of the injury may have a risk of infections to human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), hepatitis B (HBV), hepatitis C (HCV) [3,4].…”

A Qualitative Study of Perceived Risk of Occupational Exposure to HIV and Use of Post Exposure Prophylaxis Services Among Health-Care Workers in Tanzania

“…2 Health-care workers (HCWs) are at risk of occupational acquisition of HIV infection, primarily due to accidental exposure to infected blood and bodily fluids. [3][4] The use of personal protective equipment (PPE), adherence to universal precautions, effective post-exposure management, engineered safer devices, injury surveillance, and relevant legislations are amongst strategies which are designed to maximise the safety of HCWs and patients in health-care setting. 5 The level of risk depends on the HIV prevalence of patients and the precautions the HCWs observe during a surgical, medical and clinical procedures while dealing with blood and bodily fluids.…”

“…[11][12] Whilst studies indicate that the estimated risk of occupational HIV transmission in healthcare settings is low. 3,13 However, the risks of exposure and subsequent sero-conversion is high in high prevalence and resource limited settings especially if PEP strategies are inadequate. 3 Studies have indicated that the perception of risk of occupational HIV transmission amongst HCWs is high.…”

“…3,13 However, the risks of exposure and subsequent sero-conversion is high in high prevalence and resource limited settings especially if PEP strategies are inadequate. 3 Studies have indicated that the perception of risk of occupational HIV transmission amongst HCWs is high. [14][15][16] However uptake and availability of postexposure prophylaxis (PEP) does not match the occurrence of exposure.…”

Occupational Risk Factors Associated with Needle-Stick Injury among Healthcare Workers in Hawassa City, Southern Ethiopia

“…Such occupational injury leading to workers dissatisfaction and psychological trauma may reduce workers motivation and in turn may affect the quality of health care [13,15]. In our previous work we demonstrated the chance of occupational risk of contracting HIV from patient to healthcare workers in Hawassa City [16]. Owing to the considerable number of injuries in the study area [14] and the chance of cultural and ethnic influences; identification of health risk factors related to occupation is important for designing and employing effective risk preventive programs.…”