ATTITUDES OF MEDICAL SPECIALISTS TOWARD HBV, HCV OR HIV INFECTED SURGICAL STAFF AND A SERO-SURVEY AMONG STAFF MEMBERS
Journal Title: Medycyna Pracy - Year 2013, Vol 64, Issue 5
Abstract
Background: Issues regarding the transmission of blood-borne viruses from infected medical personnel to patients are controversial to both parties. The aim of this study was to evaluate the attitudes towards disclosure of HBV/HCV/HIV-infected surgeons and the possibility of being forced to give up surgical procedures, as well as to assess the prevalence of anti-HBc total, HBsAg, anti-HCV and anti-HIV in surgical staff. Material and Methods: Using an anonymous questionnaire a cross-sectional sero-survey was conducted among surgeons and nurses of surgical wards in 16 randomly selected hospitals, Western Pomerania, Poland, from January to June 2009. Serum samples were tested for anti-HBc, HBsAg, anti-HCV and anti-HIV by ELISA tests. Results: In the group of 427 participants (232 nurses, 65 doctors; a median age: 42 years), anti-HBc was found in 16.6%, HBsAg in 0.7%, anti-HCV in 1.4% and anti-HIV in 0%. The risk of a single exposure to HBV was correctly defined by 26.5% of participants, to HCV by 19.7%, to HIV by 18.7%. 16.2% participants stated that infected surgeons should disclose their HBV, HCV, or HIV serostatus, 39.8% and 42.6% that those HBV/HCV-infected and HIV-infected, respectively, should discontinue practicing surgery. Participants who correctly assessed the risk of contracting HIV/HBV/HCV after a single exposure were significantly (p = 0.0001; p = 0.03; p = 0.01, respectively) less likely to favor infected staff being forced to discontinue surgical procedures. Conclusions: A fraction of surgical staff showed detectable markers of HBV/HCV infection, they may be a source of infection for operated patients. Surgical staff's knowledge about occupational blood exposure risk was not satisfactory, which might have influenced the restrictive attitudes to force those infected with HBV/HCV/HIV to give up surgical procedures and a willingness to disclose their serological status.
Authors and Affiliations
Maria Gańczak, Zbigniew Szych, Adam Szczeniowski, Gabriela Dmytrzyk-Danilów
Keywords
Related Articles
- EP ID EP115582
- DOI http://dx.doi.org/10.13075/mp.5893.2013.0060
- Views 178
- Downloads 0
PORÓWNANIE WYNIKÓW ANALIZY CEPSTRALNEJ Z INNYMI PARAMETRAMI OCENY GŁOSU U PACJENTÓW Z DYSFONIAMI ZAWODOWYMI
Wprowadzenie: W ostatnim czasie wśród obiektywnych metod oceny głosu uznaniem cieszy się analiza akustyczna oparta na wyznaczaniu współczynników cepstralnych MFCC (mel-frequency cepstral coefficients). Celem badania była...
PREZENTYZM - (NIE)NOWE ZJAWISKO W ŚRODOWISKU PRACY
Presenteeism, understood as being at work while ill, is not a new phenomenon. However, not long ago it has become an object of researchers' interest. Formerly, they focused mainly on absenteeism. In general, presenteesim...
HBV, HCV, and HIV infection prevalence among prison staff in the light of occupational risk factors
Background: Objectives of the study: to assess the occupational risk for blood-borne infections (BBIs) among prison staff (number/ circumstances of blood exposures and preventive methods used), and to estimate the preval...
Psychological examinations in occupational health services: Legal regulations. Part I
In Poland psychological assessment for the purpose of fitness-to-work certification is regulated by the law. In the majority of cases, only psychologists registered with the occupational health services are authorized to...
NANOMATERIAŁY - PROPOZYCJE DOPUSZCZALNYCH POZIOMÓW NARAŻENIA NA ŚWIECIE A NORMATYWY HIGIENICZNE W POLSCE
Obecnie nie ma prawnie obowiązujących normatywów dla substancji w postaci nanoobiektów w środowisku pracy. Istnieją różne podejścia do szacowania ryzyka i wyznaczania dopuszczalnych poziomów narażenia zawodowego. Celem n...