A Survey of Biosafety Practices of Clinical Laboratory Personnel in Four Selected Clinical Laboratories

Abstract

Objective: Biosafety is an important element of quality management systems in laboratory practice as it is a measuring tool for compliance with accreditation and certification standards. Our aim was to assess the practices of laboratory personnel towards biosafety measures in their respective laboratories. Methods: The study design was a quantitative and qualitative cross sectional prospective one obtained with the use of a structured questionnaire. Data analysis was done with Epi Info version 3.4.1 and was presented using frequency tables with chi square calculated for different variables with the significant p value set at ≤ 0.05. Results: There were 63 respondents in the study. Private laboratories fared better in an assessment of their biosafety practices. Comparative variables identified as unsafe biosafety practices between public and private laboratories were non availability of Hepatitis B virus antibody testing, p value 0.01, odds ratio 5.4, consuming food in the laboratory, p value 0.00, odds ratio 0.2., non-use of N95 masks p value 0.04, O.R 3.9 and biosafety cabinet use p value 0.05, O.R 2.8. Discussion: Biosafety practices in Nigeria need to be streamlined in accordance with good laboratory practices in order to forestall workplace accidents and promote a safe environment for testing of clinical human samples. Conclusion: The absence of appropriate biosafety policies and practices is one of the challenges facing health care workers in sub Saharan Africa. There is the need for biosafety to be placed in the front burner of issues in laboratory practice in our respective facilities.