title: Occupational exposure to human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)--how can we reduce the risk?
abstract: We analyzed occupational exposure to potentially infectious body fluids among health care workers (HCWs). Nurses were the most common exposed category of HCWs. In 73.6% cases needle sticks had been the reason of exposure. Recapping a needle was the cause of exposure in 6.9% accidents. Among 189 registered HCWs, 66 (34.9%) performed invasive procedures without any personal protective equipment. Prophylaxis with antiretroviral drugs was necessary in 43 (22.8%) cases. As many as 60.3% of exposure incidents to potentially infectious material result from non-compliance with the relevant recommendations. Continuous education and training is critically needed to prevent occupational exposure to blood-borne infections among health care workers.
authors.affiliation: Department of Infectious Diseases, Pomeranian Medical University, Szczecin, Poland. mlpynka@interia.pl
authors.forename: Magdalena
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Leszczyszyn-Pynka
authors.forename: Małgorzata
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Kłys-Rachwalska
authors.forename: Beata
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Sacharczuk
authors.forename: Anna
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Boroń-Kaczmarska
mesh_terms: D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000635:transmission; D006282:Health Personnel; D006801:Humans; D017758:Infectious Disease Transmission, Patient-to-Professional / Q000517:prevention & control*; D008297:Male; D016273:Occupational Exposure; D011044:Poland; D040242:Risk Reduction Behavior