| Abstract: |
Primary health care workers’ (PHCWs) safety in relation to blood borne pathogens is integral to but is not the same as infection control. The main principles of PHCWs’ safety are: to reduce their susceptibility to infection, prevent and / or manage occupational exposure and maintain the health of infected onesHealthcare personnel are at risk for occupational exposure to blood borne pathogens, including hepatitis B virus (HBV), hepatitis C virus (HCV), human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and othersWorldwide, About 350 million people suffer from chronic HBV infection; 125 million are infected with HCV infection and 33 million with HIV; making viral hepatitis and HIV the world’s greatest infectious diseases Egypt is one of the highest countries of sero-prevalence for HCV and HBV while the result of National AIDS Control Program Surveillance revealed that, the prevalence HIV is around 0.03% in general population increasing to 0.05% to 0.56% among people with high risk behaviorsExposure to blood borne infectious diseases (BBIDs) occur through needle sticks or cuts from other sharp instruments contaminated with an infected patient’s blood or through contact of the eyes, nose, mouth, or skin with patient’s bloodMost studies of needle stick injuries have been conducted among hospital rather than PHCWs Among the 35 million Health Care Workers (HCWs) worldwide, about 3 million experience percutaneous exposures to blood borne pathogens each year, these injuries may result in 15,000 HCV and 70,000 HBV and 1,000 HIV infections, which lead to about 1100 deaths and significant disabilities. More than 90% of these infections occur in developing countries In Egypt, a study of 1485 HCWs revealed that, 35.6% were exposed to at least 1 needle stick injury during the past 3 months with an estimated annual number of 4.9 needle stick per worker, while 64% of them disposed of needles unsafely in non puncture proof containersMost blood exposure in health setting is preventable. Strategies to protect HCWs include implementation of Universal Precautions (UP) and preventive measures as immunization against hepatitis B, provision of personal protection and the management of exposure. Successful implementation of these strategies requires an effective infection control committee with support from the health setting management teamUniversal Precautions practices are important, as any health care organization has a responsibility to protect itself from potential danger and also protect itself from loss of man power if the staff suffers from occupational injuries or illness. Patients too may be harmed if the staff is uninformed about safe handling of blood or body fluids or they may be deprived of appropriate care due to inappropriate fears or misunderstanding. Also HCWs working in hospitals are frequently provide care to patients whose hepatitis B virus (HBV) or HIV status is unknownLack of awareness and misconception of PHCWs about the precautions might contribute to increased risk of occupational exposure and disease transmission. In Egypt, lack of access to information and education on the importance of the precaution guidelines also contribute to continued high risk behaviorsThe PHCWs should be able to recognize major and obvious health hazards related to blood borne pathogens (BBPs) and distinguish those that require formal evaluation by the institutionSo, health education and training of PHCWs on safe handling and collection of needles & sharps and post exposure prophylaxis to needle stick injuries is required to reduce transmission of blood borne infectious diseases.
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