title: Epidemiology and clinical consequences of occupational exposure to blood and other body fluids in a university hospital in Saudi Arabia.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To describe the epidemiological characteristics, clinical impact, and adequacy of post-exposure management of occupational exposure to blood and body fluids (BBFs).
  
  
  METHODS
  Retrospective chart review of individuals reporting exposure to BBFs from 2007 to 2013 at King Abdulaziz University Hospital, Jeddah, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The total number of exposures reported was 326 exposures, of which 302 (92.6%) exposures were percutaneous, 21 (6.5%), mucocutaneous, and 3 (0.9%), bites. Nursing staff/students had the highest rate of exposure (149, or 45.6%), followed by physicians (57, or 17.5%). Surgeons were found to have a significantly higher risk for sharp injuries compared with other physicians (26.3%, or 15 exposures, p less than 0.005). Most (216, or 72.5%) percutaneous injuries were caused by hollow-bore needles. Majority of exposures (124, or 42.6%) occurred after using the needle/sharp item and before disposal. Two-thirds (219, or 67%) of exposed individuals were immune to hepatitis B at the time of exposure. With appropriate post-exposure management, none of exposed individuals seroconverted to HIV, hepatitis B or C virus infections.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Occupational exposure to BBFs remains a concern among healthcare workers. Educational programs targeting high-risk groups entailing reinforcement of prevention and adherence to post-exposure management guidelines are needed.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. E-mail. tmadani@kau.edu.sa.
authors.forename: Shireen A
authors.initials: SA
authors.lastname: Samargandy
authors.forename: Lujain M
authors.initials: LM
authors.lastname: Bukhari
authors.forename: Shaza A
authors.initials: SA
authors.lastname: Samargandy
authors.forename: Rawiah S
authors.initials: RS
authors.lastname: Bahlas
authors.forename: Eman K
authors.initials: EK
authors.lastname: Aldigs
authors.forename: Maha A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Alawi
authors.forename: Nabeela A
authors.initials: NA
authors.lastname: Al-Abdullah
authors.forename: Tariq A
authors.initials: TA
authors.lastname: Madani
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001769:Blood; D001826:Body Fluids; D005260:Female; D006785:Hospitals, University; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016273:Occupational Exposure; D012529:Saudi Arabia; D055815:Young Adult