title: Knowledge and practices of healthcare workers in relation to bloodborne pathogens in a tertiary care hospital, Western Saudi Arabia.
abstract: To assess knowledge and practices of healthcare workers (HCWs) in relation to bloodborne pathogens in a tertiary care hospital, western Saudi Arabia. Self-administered questionnaire was distributed assessing demographic characteristics, knowledge and practices of physicians, nurses and technicians on risks of exposure and prophylaxis against human immunodeficiency virus, hepatitis B virus and hepatitis C virus infections. A total of 466 participants (151; 32.4 % physicians and 315; 67.6 % nurses/technicians) completed the questionnaire. Almost two thirds of the physicians (60.9 %) and half of the nurses/technicians (47.6 %) had history of exposure to risks of bloodborne infection. Although both physicians and nurses/technicians showed acceptable level of knowledge about risks of bloodborne infections, modest proportion knew the correct actions including reporting following exposure. Behavioral-based in-service training interventions and strict policy should be implemented to promote compliance of HCWs to the protective measures against hazards of bloodborne infection.
authors: Family Medicine Department, Armed Forces Hospital, Taif, Saudi Arabia.
authors: Ali O
authors: AO
authors: Al-Zahrani
authors: Fayssal
authors: F
authors: Farahat
authors: Elham N
authors: EN
authors: Zolaly
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D017848:Blood-Borne Pathogens; D003428:Cross Infection / Q000517:prevention & control; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008505:Medical Staff, Hospital / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D009741:Nursing Staff, Hospital / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D010564:Personnel, Hospital / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D012529:Saudi Arabia / Q000453:epidemiology; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D062606:Tertiary Care Centers / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*