title: [Risk of infections by the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) among health professionals].
abstract: To investigate the occupational risk of infection by HIV among health professionals, 36 cases of occupational accidents involving exposure to material potentially infected with HIV, reported at a Brazilian General Hospital (HCFMRP), were studied. Of the injured workers 75% were female and 25% male (ranging from 23 to 49 years old) and just one of them had high-risk behavior of HIV infection. Of these health professionals, 52.8% were nursing auxiliaries, 19.4%, nurses, 13.9%, nursing attendants, 5.5%, laboratory technicians, 2.8% surgery instrumentalist, 2.8% accountants and 2.8% nursing technicians. In 47.2% of cases the workers had a parenteral exposure to blood (needlestick injuries). The right hand and fingers were the body areas most effected. The serologic test to detect HIV antibodies by the ELISA method was required of all the workers. The results were negative and no seroconversion was registered during the one year follow-up period. The professionals were retested one month, 2 months, 6 months and one year after the exposure. In conclusion, the risk of infection by HIV among health professionals of HCFMRP seems to be very low. Continuing education should be provided for health care workers with a view to reinforcing the use of universal precaution, especially those to prevent injuries caused by needles or other sharp instruments.
authors.affiliation: Departamento de Clínica Médica da Faculdade de Medicina de Ribeirão Preto da Universidade de São Paulo, Brasil.
authors.forename: A A
authors.initials: AA
authors.lastname: Machado
authors.forename: J C
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: da Costa
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Gir
authors.forename: T M
authors.initials: TM
authors.lastname: Moriya
authors.forename: J F
authors.initials: JF
authors.lastname: Figueiredo
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000635:transmission*; D006282:Health Personnel; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D016273:Occupational Exposure; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors
vernacular_title: Risco de infecção pelo vírus da imunodeficiência humana (HIV) em profissionais da saúde.