Abstract

PURPOSE
Understanding the risks of bloodborne pathogen transmission is fundamental to prioritizing interventions when resources are limited. This study investigated the risks to healthcare workers in Zambia.
DESIGN
A survey was completed anonymously by a convenience sample of workers in three hospitals and two clinics in Zambia. Respondents provided information regarding job category, injuries with contaminated sharps, hepatitis B vaccination status and the availability of HIV post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP).
RESULTS
Nurses reported the largest number of injuries. The average annual sharps injury rate was 1.3 injuries per worker, and service workers (housekeepers, laundry, ward assistants) had the highest rate of these injuries, 1.9 per year. Injuries were often related to inadequate disposal methods. Syringe needles accounted for the largest proportion of injuries (60%), and 15% of these injuries were related to procedures with a higher-than-average risk for infection. Most workers (88%) reported the availability of PEP, and only 8% were fully vaccinated against hepatitis B.
CONCLUSIONS
The injury risks identified among Zambian workers are serious and are exacerbated by the high prevalence of bloodborne pathogens in the population. This suggests that there is a high risk of occupationally acquired bloodborne pathogen infection. The findings also highlight the need for a hepatitis B vaccination program focused on healthcare workers. The risks associated with bloodborne pathogens threaten to further diminish an already scarce resource in Zambia - trained healthcare workers. To decrease these risks, we suggest the use of low-cost disposal alternatives, the implementation of cost-sensitive protective strategies and the re-allocation of some treatment resources to primary prevention.

Links

Publisher Full Text

Authors

Phillips EK, Simwale OJ, Chung MJ, Parker G, Perry J, Jagger JC

Institution

International Healthcare Worker Safety Center, University of Virginia Health System, P.O. Box 800764, Department of Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases, Charlottesville, VA 22901, USA. ekp2e@virginia.edu

Source

Journal of infection and public health 5:3 2012 Jun pg 244-9

MeSH

Blood-Borne Pathogens
Communicable Diseases
Health Personnel
Humans
Infection Control
Infectious Disease Transmission, Patient-to-Professional
Needlestick Injuries
Occupational Exposure
Personnel, Hospital
Post-Exposure Prophylaxis
Prevalence
Questionnaires
Risk Factors
Zambia

Pub Type(s)

Journal Article
Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

Language

eng

PubMed ID

22632598