Occupational Exposure to Blood and Body Fluids among Interns in a Tertiary Hospital in Port Harcourt, Nigeria

Abstract

Background: Health care workers especially interns may be at increased health risk due to exposure to blood and body fluids. Objective: To determine the prevalence of occupational exposure to blood and body fluids (EBBF) among interns at the University of Port Harcourt Teaching hospital (UPTH). Methodology: This cross-sectional study was carried out among interns at the UPTH. Informed written consent was obtained. The obtained data from a self-administered questionnaire and Infection Control Team records were analysed using SPSS version 21 and are presented as prose and tables. Results: Eighty four interns were studied giving a response rate of 93.3%: 40 (47.6%) were males while 44 (52.4%) were females giving a male:female ratio of 1:1.1. Thirty two (38.1%) were aware of the availability of sharp bins, 55 (65.5%) recapped and discarded into waste bins while 4 (4.8%) discarded into sharp bins without recapping. Prevalence of EBBF was 89.3%. Thirty one (41.4%) had Blood and Body Fluid Splash (BBFS), 22 (29.3%) had Needle Stick Injury (NSI) while 22 (29.3%) had combined NSI and BBFS. Thirteen (29.5%) of the NSI occurred during rotation in Paediatrics. Seventeen (32.1%) and 16 (30.2%) of BBFS occurred during Obstetrics and Gynaecology and Paediatrics rotation respectively. Eleven (25%) reported the NSI to the Infection control team (ICT) and 3 (27.3%) completed 28 days of Highly Active Anti-Retroviral Therapy (HAART). Common reason for not reporting was not been aware of the Infection Control Team (ICT) in 10 (30.3%). Conclusion: There is a need for improved training and close supervision of interns.