Logo image
Back
Needle Stick Injuries, Sharp Injuries and other Occupational Exposures to Blood and Body Fluids among Health Care Workers in a general hospital in Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina
Journal article   Open access   Peer reviewed

Needle Stick Injuries, Sharp Injuries and other Occupational Exposures to Blood and Body Fluids among Health Care Workers in a general hospital in Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina

Sanjin Musa, Corinne Peek-Asa, Tracy Young and Nina Jovanovic
International journal of occupational safety and health, Vol.4(1), pp.31-37
2014
DOI: 10.3126/ijosh.v4i1.9847
PMCID: PMC5659357
PMID: 29082063
url
https://doi.org/10.3126/ijosh.v4i1.9847View
Published (Version of record) Open Access

Abstract

Health Professional exposures of health care workers (HCW) to potentially infective blood and body fluids presents a serious health threat, including hepatitis B, hepatitis C and HIV transmission. This study was conducted to assess the risk for and reporting of needle stick injuries, sharp injuries and other occupational exposures of health care workers in a large healthcare center in Sarajevo. This cross-sectional survey was conducted in May 2013. The study target population included all hospital health care workers who had a high potential for exposure. The estimated sample size was 48 physicians, 132 nurses/technicians and 30 auxiliary personnel. During their career, 124 (63.3%) HCW reported exposures to blood and body fluids. In total, needle stick injuries (66.1%) were the most common source of exposure, followed by contact with intact skin (12.1%) and cut with sharp object (11.3%). Only 43 (35.5%) reported any of these exposures to health authorities during their career. The odds of exposure to needle stick injuries and other occupational exposures to blood and bodily fluids were significantly higher among medical nurses/technicians (AOR=4.98, 95%CI=1.52-16,1) and auxiliary (AOR=4.30, 95% CI=1.07-17.34) personnel when compared to physicians. HCW in the operation room, intervention ambulance and laboratory (AOR=3.73, 95%CI=1.43-9.72) had higher odds of exposure than workers in the ambulatory departments. Needle stick Injuries, Sharp Injuries and other Occupational Exposures to Blood and Body Fluids among health care workers are underestimated hazard. Especially, for HCW who work in operation room/interventional ambulance. There is a need for preventive programs for HCW and further work on the establishment of an effective surveillance system.
 Hepatitis HCW Hazard

Details

Metrics

16 Record Views
Logo image