Healthcare workers' perceptions of occupational exposure to blood-borne viruses and reporting barriers: a questionnaire-based study.
BACKGROUND
Healthcare workers (HCWs) are at significant risk of exposure to blood-borne viruses (BBV).


OBJECTIVE
To investigate HCW perceptions concerning occupational exposures to BBV and possible barriers involved in reporting incidents.


METHODS
A total of 120 HCWs based at the Dental Institute, King's College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, completed an anonymous questionnaire as part of a multicentre study.


RESULTS
Eighty-six percent (99/115) of respondents worried about developing a BBV infection at work. Of those who feared hepatitis C virus (HCV) the most, 69% (31/45) also believed that HCV posed the greatest risk to their health, versus 53% (10/19) and 13% (5/40) with regard to hepatitis B virus (HBV) and HIV infection, respectively (P < 0.001). Of respondents with ≥21 years of health service experience, 75% (18/24) knew the risk of HIV transmission versus 13% (2/16) of respondents with <5 years of health service experience (P = 0.002). All (23/23) respondents with ≥21 years of service were aware of HIV PEP versus 20% (12/60) with <21 years of service. Ninety-two percent of respondents (104/113) agreed that it was important to report all body fluid exposure incidents but only 58% (28/48) had reported all their exposure incidents. Fifty-nine percent (60/102) agreed that an electronic reporting system would improve reporting of such incidents.


CONCLUSIONS
This study identified a need to improve HCWs' knowledge of BBV infection risks and their management. Data gathered in this study will be used to inform the development of a web-based system for the surveillance of occupational exposures to BBV in the UK.
South London Specialist Virology Centre, King's College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK.
S A
SA
Winchester
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S
Tomkins
S
S
Cliffe
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L
Batty
F
F
Ncube
M
M
Zuckerman
D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D017848:Blood-Borne Pathogens; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006282:Health Personnel; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009784:Occupational Diseases / Q000517:prevention & control*; D016273:Occupational Exposure / Q000517:prevention & control*; D012308:Risk Management / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D006113:United Kingdom; D014777:Virus Diseases / Q000517:prevention & control*