[Occupational exposure to HIV among Polish surgeons from the province of West Pomerania].
In order to establish appropriate strategies making possible to reduce the risk of HIV infection in operating suite an attempt was undertaken at determination of the incidence of occupational exposure to blood among surgeons and of the factors that have influence on the occurrence of such events. The questionnaire study included 200 physicians from hospitals both in the City of Szczecin and in the Province of West Pomernia. Most responders (97.5%) answered that they had at least one skin damage over the year preceding the study (median of cuts--10) including 87% that had at least one needle puncture and 24% that had over 10 punctures. The number of cuts was independent of such variables as: gender, age, degree of speciality, working place or training on HIV/AIDS (p > 0.07), however, a correlation was demonstrated with specialisation degree, number of operating hours and number of HIV-positive patients treated. With respect to the most recent occupational injury it was found that: it occurred most frequently in the operating room during elective operation, it was never reported, it involved the main operator and was self-inflicted. The high number of occupational skin injuries observed among the studied physicians points to the need of modification of current professional practices and of systematic training of the staff in protection against HIV infection.
Gańczak
Maria
M
ganczak2@wp.pl
Boroń-Kaczmarska
Anna
A
Białecki
Piotr
P
Szych
Zbigniew
Z
D000163:Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002391:Catchment Area, Health; D005260:Female; D013502:General Surgery; D006679:HIV Seropositivity / Q000453:epidemiology*; D006282:Health Personnel / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009784:Occupational Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology*; D016273:Occupational Exposure / Q000009:adverse effects*; D011044:Poland / Q000453:epidemiology; D000078329:Workforce