Introduction. Occupational exposure to blood and body fluids is a serious
concern of health care workers and presents a major risk of transmission of
infections such as human immuno-deficiency virus (HIV), hepatitis B virus
(HBV), and hepatitis C virus (HCV). Objective. The aim of this study was to
determine the frequency and circumstances of occupational blood and body
fluid exposures among health care workers. Methods. Cross-sectional study was
conducted in three university hospitals in Belgrade. Anonymous questionnaire
was used containing data about demographic characteristics, self-reported
blood and body fluid exposures and circumstances of percutaneous injuries.
Results. Questionnaire was filled in and returned by 216 health care workers
(78.2% of nurses and 21.8% of doctors). 60.6% of participants-health care
workers had sustained at least one needlestick injury during their
professional practice; 25.9% of them in the last 12 months. Of occupational
groups, nurses had higher risk to experience needlestick injuries than
doctors (p=0.05). The majority of the exposures occurred in the operating
theatre (p=0.001). Among factors contributing to the occurrence of
needlestick injuries, recapping needles (p=0.003) and
decontamination/cleaning instruments after surgery (p=0.001) were more
frequent among nurses, while use of a needle before intervention was common
among doctors (p=0.004). Only 41.2% of health care workers had reported their
injuries to a supervisor in order to obtain medical attention. 50.2% of
health care workers were vaccinated with three doses of hepatitis B vaccine.
Conclusion. There is a high rate of needlestick injuries in the daily
hospital routine. Implementation of safety devices would lead to improvement
in health and safety of medical staff.
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