Occupational exposures to blood and body fluids among health care workers in Tunisia

Abstract

Abstract Background Occupational exposures to blood and body fluid are among the most frequent occupational accidents in healthcare. They put healthcare workers (HCWs) at high risk of transmission of many blood borne pathogens mainly hepatitis B virus (HBV), hepatitis C virus HCV and HIV. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of occupational exposures to blood and body fluids and its associated factors among HCWs at the university hospital of Monastir (Tunisia) in 2017. Methods An exhaustive cross-sectional study was conducted from 01 June 2017 to 31 August 2017 at the university hospital in Monastir Governorate (Tunisia). An anonymous self-administered questionnaire was used to collect data on demographic characteristics, self-reported exposures and their circumstances. We performed a multivariate analysis to determine the associated factors to these occupational exposures. Results A total of 1493 HCWs (34.6% nurses 22% technicians and 21.6% doctors) were included corresponding to a response rate of 74%. The median age of the participants was of 36 years (IQR: 31- 46 years). The sex ratio was of 0.36. Responders from medical and surgical departments represented respectively 40.5% and 39%. Among interviewed HCWs, 56.7% reported having at least one exposure to blood or body fluid with 35.4% of them exposed twice or more. Almost half (48.3%) of the respondents had a history of needle stick injury and 32.1% had a history of blood or body fluid splash into the face.The multivariate analysis showed that doctors had the highest risk of exposure comparing to other HCWs with (AOR = 12.425; 95% CI: 05.310 - 29.075) and participants working at surgical departments were at higher risk of exposure than those at others departments (AOR=7.440; 95% CI: 4.461 - 12.408). Conclusions Health occupational exposures to blood and body fluids are a serious problem at the university hospital of Monastir. Preventive measures should be strengthened to alleviate this problem. Key messages Doctors had the highest risk of exposure to blood and body fluids comparing to other HCWs at the university hospital of Monastir. Preventive measures should be strengthened to alleviate this problem.