Journal article
Sharps injuries among nurses and midwives in sub-Saharan Africa
African journal of midwifery and women's health, Vol.13(1), pp.14-21
01/01/2019
DOI: 10.12968/ajmw.2019.13.1.14
Abstract
Background:
The prevalence of blood-borne pathogens, including HIV and hepatitis B and C, remains high in sub-Saharan Africa. Nurses and midwives are therefore at high risk for occupational transmission.
Aims:
To examine the prevalence of sharps injuries and other work-related risks among nurses and midwives.
Methods:
Nurses and midwives (n=712) in sub-Saharan Africa completed an anonymous questionnaire. Generalised estimating questions were used to analyse the data.
Findings:
Nurses and midwives who made home visits, engaged in direct care, were called in to work ‘off-hours’, and performed needle-related tasks ≥15 times/day were more likely to have sharps injuries (all P<0.05). Among those injured, only 64.2% reported their injuries appropriately. Among those who reported, only 61.5% were tested for HIV or hepatitis B and C, and only 28.2% received HIV post-exposure prophylaxis.
Conclusions:
Future efforts should focus on optimising work schedules, reducing unnecessary needle-related tasks, introducing safety engineered needles and improving post-exposure prophylaxis.
Details
- Title: Subtitle
- Sharps injuries among nurses and midwives in sub-Saharan Africa
- Creators
- Shijun Zhu - University of Maryland, BaltimoreWen Liu - University of IowaAnthony Amoroso - University of Maryland, BaltimoreSue Blanshan - Michigan State UniversityThomasine Guberski - University of Maryland, BaltimoreEmilia Iwu - Rutgers, The State University of New JerseyBeatrice Kiama - Madigan Army Medical CenterJane Lipscomb - University of Maryland, BaltimoreMargaret Maimbolwa - University of LusakaPeter Maro - Clinical assistant professor, PEPFAR AIDS Relief, Dar Es Salaam, TanzaniaSekela Mwakyus - President's Emergency Plan for AIDS ReliefGrace Omoni - University of NairobiNathaniel Smith - Arkansas Department of HealthBarbara Smith - Florida State University
- Resource Type
- Journal article
- Publication Details
- African journal of midwifery and women's health, Vol.13(1), pp.14-21
- Publisher
- MA Healthcare
- DOI
- 10.12968/ajmw.2019.13.1.14
- ISSN
- 1759-7374
- eISSN
- 2052-4293
- Language
- English
- Date published
- 01/01/2019
- Academic Unit
- Nursing
- Record Identifier
- 9984370851202771
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