Fatores associados ao uso de equipamentos de proteção individual por profissionais de saude acidentados com material biológico no Estado do Maranhão

Abstract

Background: Health professionals are at high risk for work accidents; within this context, personal protective equipment (PPE) acts as a barrier and affords protection in any situation of potential exposure to biological materials. Objective: To analyze associated factors and determine the frequency of adherence to use of PPE by health professionals who suffered occupational needle stick injuries in the State of Maranhão. Methods: An epidemiological, cross-sectional, analytical study based on secondary data from the Information System on Notifying Diseases (SINAN) was performed with health professionals who suffered needle stick injuries from 2010 to 2015. Unadjusted analysis was performed first, and hierarchical adjusted analysis in a second stage, with adherence to use of PPE as response variable. Only variables with p < 0.05 were considered to exhibit association with the response variable. Results: The frequency of use of PPE was 41%; at the end of hierarchical analysis, not using PPE remained associated with: having 12 or less years schooling; working in the capital/metropolitan region; and percutaneous exposure to blood by means of needles or improper disposal of sharps. Conclusion: The frequency of adherence to PPE was relatively low among health professionals who suffered accidents in the State of Maranhão. Twelve years or less of schooling, not using PPE and improper disposal of sharps might contribute to the occurrence of occupational accidents at health institutions.