Evaluating occupational exposure to biological material in health services

Abstract

Occupational accidents from exposure to biological material require mandatory notification due to potential contamination risks with HIV, HBV, and HCV. This study aimed to identify the occurrence and characteristics of occupational accidents in health care institutions located in the countryside of São Paulo, Brazil. This is a descriptive, cross-sectional study. Data was collected through consulting the registries of Information System for Notified Disease Exposures, filed in the São João da Boa Vista Regional Reference Center for Workers' Health database for 2008-2009. Descriptive statistics and frequencies of 85 occupational accidents registered were reported; aged 19 to 57 years, 85.9% were female; 73.4% nursing staff, 8.2% nursing students, 7.1% physicians, and 7.0% were cleaning personnel. Disposing sharp objects in inappropriate places accounted for 18.8% of occupational accidents; 80% had contact with blood, and 20% of them used chemoprophylaxis. It is necessary to improve the quality of records, on-the-job training, and investigation of possible under-reporting of occupational accidents.