Jurnal Internasional vol.12 issue 2 2022
African Journal of Emergency Medicine
Occupational blood and body fluid exposure among emergency medical service providers in the eThekwini metropole of South Africa
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Title
Jurnal Internasional vol.12 issue 2 2022
African Journal of Emergency Medicine
Occupational blood and body fluid exposure among emergency medical service providers in the eThekwini metropole of South Africa
African Journal of Emergency Medicine
Occupational blood and body fluid exposure among emergency medical service providers in the eThekwini metropole of South Africa
Subject
Blood exposure
Blood body fluid exposure
Occupational blood exposure
Needlestick injuries
South Africa
Emergency Medical Service Providers
Paramedics
Blood body fluid exposure
Occupational blood exposure
Needlestick injuries
South Africa
Emergency Medical Service Providers
Paramedics
Description
Introduction: Emergency Medical Service (EMS) providers in South Africa are among health care workers (HCWs)
most at risk of contracting infectious diseases due to occupational exposure to blood and body fluids (BBF). While
the austere, dynamic, and challenging nature of the prehospital environment appears to be one of the primary
drivers to this risk, the growing prevalence of bloodborne infections within the country; particularly Hepatitis B,
C and Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV), has inevitably compounded the problem. The aim of this study was
to investigate the knowledge, practices, and prevalence of BBF exposure among EMS providers in the eThekwini
metropole of KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa.
Methodology: This cross-sectional questionnaire-based study was completed by 96 randomly selected EMS
providers who worked for the state-run ambulance service and were stationed within the eThekwini metropole.
Results: A total of 41 (42.7%) of the 96 respondents indicated memorable exposure to BBF at some point in their
operational career. Exposure appeared to be mostly as a result of needlestick injuries (NSI) (63.4%), followed by
BBF exposure into the eyes (19.5%). At the time of exposure, a total of 40 participants (97.6%) were wearing
gloves, 22% (n = 9) were wearing facemasks, and 9.8% (n = 4) were wearing eye protection. Less than half of
the respondents (46, 47.9%) were aware of existing EMS espoused BBF exposure policies, and 55 (57.3%) knew
about post-exposure prophylaxis for HIV. Majority of the respondents (n = 74; 77.1%) indicated that they always
recapped needles, and 46.9% (n = 45) dispose of sharps containers when completely full.
Conclusion: The findings suggest that BBF related knowledge and practices among EMS providers working in
the eThekwini metropole may be inadequate, and may increase the risk of blood exposure. In order to improve
knowledge, immediate provision of EMS-specific BBF exposure training is required.
most at risk of contracting infectious diseases due to occupational exposure to blood and body fluids (BBF). While
the austere, dynamic, and challenging nature of the prehospital environment appears to be one of the primary
drivers to this risk, the growing prevalence of bloodborne infections within the country; particularly Hepatitis B,
C and Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV), has inevitably compounded the problem. The aim of this study was
to investigate the knowledge, practices, and prevalence of BBF exposure among EMS providers in the eThekwini
metropole of KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa.
Methodology: This cross-sectional questionnaire-based study was completed by 96 randomly selected EMS
providers who worked for the state-run ambulance service and were stationed within the eThekwini metropole.
Results: A total of 41 (42.7%) of the 96 respondents indicated memorable exposure to BBF at some point in their
operational career. Exposure appeared to be mostly as a result of needlestick injuries (NSI) (63.4%), followed by
BBF exposure into the eyes (19.5%). At the time of exposure, a total of 40 participants (97.6%) were wearing
gloves, 22% (n = 9) were wearing facemasks, and 9.8% (n = 4) were wearing eye protection. Less than half of
the respondents (46, 47.9%) were aware of existing EMS espoused BBF exposure policies, and 55 (57.3%) knew
about post-exposure prophylaxis for HIV. Majority of the respondents (n = 74; 77.1%) indicated that they always
recapped needles, and 46.9% (n = 45) dispose of sharps containers when completely full.
Conclusion: The findings suggest that BBF related knowledge and practices among EMS providers working in
the eThekwini metropole may be inadequate, and may increase the risk of blood exposure. In order to improve
knowledge, immediate provision of EMS-specific BBF exposure training is required.
Creator
Melvin Chetty, Kevin.P. Govender, Simpiwe Sobuwa
Source
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.afjem.2022.01.001
Date
25 January 2022
Contributor
peri irawan
Format
pdf
Language
english
Type
text
Files
Citation
Melvin Chetty, Kevin.P. Govender, Simpiwe Sobuwa, “Jurnal Internasional vol.12 issue 2 2022
African Journal of Emergency Medicine
Occupational blood and body fluid exposure among emergency medical service providers in the eThekwini metropole of South Africa,” Repository Horizon University Indonesia, accessed November 21, 2024, https://repository.horizon.ac.id/items/show/1899.
African Journal of Emergency Medicine
Occupational blood and body fluid exposure among emergency medical service providers in the eThekwini metropole of South Africa,” Repository Horizon University Indonesia, accessed November 21, 2024, https://repository.horizon.ac.id/items/show/1899.