%0 Journal Article
%T Occupational exposures to blood and body fluids (BBF): Assessment of knowledge, attitude and practice among health care workers in general hospitals in Lebanon
%A Ibtissam Sabbah
%A Hala Sabbah
%A Sanaa Sabbah
%A Hussein Akoum
%A Nabil Droubi
%J Health
%P 70-78
%@ 1949-5005
%D 2013
%I Scientific Research Publishing
%R 10.4236/health.2013.51010
%X <p align=\"justify\">
	<span style=\"font-family:'Arial','sans-serif';font-size:10pt;\">Healthcare workers (HCWs) who are employed in traditional health care workplaces face a serious danger that may threaten their life; it is their exposure to blood and body fluids (BBF). In Lebanon, the introduction of a hospital accreditation system has put a particular emphasis on <span>staff safety, and on the evaluation of profes</span>sional practice (EPP) programs. <span>Methods:</span> A cross-sectional survey was conducted amongst 277 HCWs working in 4 general hospitals in South Lebanon. Objective: 1) describe the prevalence and the risk factors for occupational exposure to BBF among HCWs; 2) evaluate knowledge, attitude, and practices of HCW concerning blood-borne pathogens and adherence to universal safety precautions. <span>Results:</span> The mean age of the respondents<span> </span>was 32.14 years (SD = 10.33), 57.4% were females. 43.3% of HCWs expressed that they use gloves all the time for every active<span>ity of care<span>. </span>67.1% were aware that needles</span> should not be recapped after use; registered nurses and nursing students were more aware than physicians and nursing assistants (nurse) in this subject<span>. </span>30% of HCWs declared having had at least one occupational exposure to BBF; 62.7%<span> </span>of all accidental exposure was reported to the <span>department responsible for managing expo</span>sures. Percutaneous injuries were the most frequently reported. Vaccination coverage was 88.4% for hepatitis B, and 48.4% against influenza. The source patient was tested in 43.4% of reported BBF exposures. Accidental exposure to BBF was more frequent in older people (OR = 3.42; p = 0.03) and the more experienced. Subjects working in intensive care unit ward reported </span><span style=\"font-family:'Arial','sans-serif';font-size:10pt;\">more exposure to BBF (OR = 3; p = 0.04). Participants incurring exposure to BBF resorted to different measures after the injury suggesting a lack of a uniform policy for post-exposure prophylaxis.<span> Conclusion:</span> Exposure to BBF represents an important and frequently preventable occupational hazard for HCWs in Lebanon that requires continuous EPP of HCWs, and a comprehensive approach for prevention and management.</span> 
</p>
%K Occupational exposure to blood and body fluids
%K Evaluation of the Professional Practice
%K Knowledge
%K Attitude
%K and Practices (KAP)
%K Controlled Language
%K Healthcare Workers
%U http://www.scirp.org/journal/PaperInformation.aspx?PaperID=26524