Prevalence and factors associated with percutaneous injuries and splash exposures among health-care workers in a provincial hospital, Kenya, 2010

Abstract

IntroductionAccidental occupational exposure of healthcare workers to blood and body fluids after skin injury or mucous membrane contact constitutes a risk for transmission of blood-borne pathogens. Such pathogens include Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV), Hepatitis B virus (HBV) and Hepatitis C virus (HCV). We conducted a study to determine the prevalence and associated factors for percutaneous injuries and splash exposures among health-care workers in Rift Valley provincial hospital.MethodsA cross-sectional study was carried out from October to November 2010. Self reported incidents, circumstances surrounding occupational exposure and post-exposure management were sought by use of interviewer administered questionnaire. Descriptive, bivariate and multiple logistic regression (forward stepwise procedure) analyses were performed. The level of significance was set at 0.05.ResultsTwenty five percent of health-care workers interviewed (N = 305) reported having been exposed to blood and body fluids in the preceding 12 months. Percutaneous injuries were reported by 19% (n = 305) and splash to mucous membrane by 7.2%. Higher rates of percutaneous injuries were observed among nurses (50%), during stitching (30%), and in obstetric and gynecologic department (22%). Health workers aged below 40 years were more likely to experience percutaneous injuries (OR= 3.7; 95% CI = 1.08-9.13) while previous training in infection prevention was protective (OR= 0.52; 95% CI = 0.03-0.90). Forty eight percent (n = 83) reported the incidents with 20% (n = 83) taking PEP against HIV.ConclusionPercutaneous injuries and splashes are common in Rift Valley Provincial hospital. Preventive measures remain inadequate. Health institutions should have policies, institute surveillance for occupational risks and enhance training of health care workers.

Incidence of Needle Stick and Sharps Injuries Among Health Care Workers in a Tertiary Hospital, Saudi Arabia

“…In concordance to our findings, some studies have reported female HCWs being the most common group to be affected by NSI, probably nurses (Clarke et al, 2002 andMbaisi et al, 2013). …”

“…These results are similar to the study done in India 2017 reporting that blood sample collection was the most common procedure during which NSI occurred (Goel et al, 2017). This is in contrast to many other studies where stitching was the most common procedure (29-46%), followed by blood sample collection (19%) responsible for NSI (Cervini andBell, 2005 andMbaisi et al, 2013). Our explanation of this difference is the availability of better facilities.…”

Occupational Exposure to Blood and Other Body Fluids Among Healthcare Workers in Three Teaching Hospitals, Southeast Iran

“…In other terms, approximately 30 NSIs per 100 beds per year are reported for an average hospital (6). Some factors that have been found to be independently associated with exposure to BBFs and NSIs include male gender, an age below 40 years (7), the recapping of needles (8), work experience of less than two years (9), and working at a surgical ward (10). Inadequate human and other resources and high emotional exhaustion significantly increase the risk of occupational exposure to BBFs (11).…”

“…Inadequate human and other resources and high emotional exhaustion significantly increase the risk of occupational exposure to BBFs (11). The presence of a health office for HCWs at a hospital, work at a university hospital, and previous training on infection control measures are associated with lower levels of NSIs and/or sharp injuries (7,10).…”

A vivência dos trabalhadores de Enfermagem que sofreram acidente com fluido biológico: um olhar fenomenológico

“…O maior número de acidentes ocorre durante a realização de procedimentos, cuidados ao paciente no leito como punção venosa, aspiração e administração de medicamentos. As literaturas nacionais e internacionais apontam que as mãos foram a parte do corpo mais envolvida em acidentes (Mbaisi et al,2013;Gomes et al,2009;Spagnuolo, Baldo, Guerrini, 2008).…”