Occupational blood exposure: An analysis of attitudes and knowledge

A survey was made during a meeting organized by a regional association for the prevention of nosocomial infections (ARECLIN), on May 26, 1997. Out of 529 questionnaires handed out, 445 were used for assessment (84 %). Respondents were nurses (63 %), nursing trainees (10 %), head nurses (6 %), or physicians (5 %). Initial training had been completed less than 10 years ago for 63 %, 60 % worked in a general hospital, 22 % in an university hospital, and 8 % in private hospitals. Among respondents 47,2 % (180/381) reported at least one occupational blood exposure. The highest rate was observed in nurses (58 %), but rates were high in all professions: midwives (55 %) head nurses (35 %), nursing trainees (32 %), laboratory workers (27 %), physicians (25 %), auxiliary nurses (17 %) and technical personnel (12 %). Systematic reporting of all exposures was pointed out by 97 % of responders; in this case, the local health service was usually contacted (81 %), or the department head nurse (75 %). 33% of the accidents were reported within the hour following exposure, suggesting anti-HIV prophylaxis, and 41 % within 24 hours. The exposure site was to be cleaned by soap for 68 % and disinfected for 83 %. 71 % were aware of the universal precautions concept. 7 out of 10 guidelines were known by more than 80 % of respondents. The 3 less known were: not removing needles by hand (73 %), bandage and cover skin lesions far healthcare workers (77 %), and disinfection of soiled surfaces with 12 degrees sodium hypochlorite (66 %). Even if this meeting probably grouped people motivated by the prevention of occupational blood exposure, these results are encouraging. They show a good level of knowledge on occupational blood exposure and universal precautions.