[Personnel at risk for occupational blood exposure in a university hospital in West Algeria].

The accidental occupational exposure of health care workers to blood or other body fluids after skin injury or mucous contact, constitutes a risk for the transmission of the hepatitis B virus (HBV), hepatitis C virus (HCV) or human immunodeficiency viruses (HIV). This paper presents the results of a survey carried out over two years (January 2005 - December 2006) on reported occupational blood exposures (OBE). The study aimed to determine incidence, workers and professional categories at risk, and circumstances of OBE occurrence in order to identify avoidable cases and to orient prevention measures. Personal and professional data, immunization status, circumstances of OBE incidents, preventive measures, workers' behaviour post-exposure, and serology surveillance were collected. 108 exposures were reported by 70 women and 38 men. In total, 44 accidents were reported in 2005, and 64 in 2006. Needle stick injuries represented 81% of cases. Source patient serology was unknown in most of the cases, negative in 9% of cases and positive in 10% of cases. 62% of exposed health workers received immediate serology, follow up and screening as of the first day of exposure, 12% after 3 months and 36% after 6 months. No seroconversion case was noted. Cleaning staff and hygiene workers are at high risk of blood contamination as well as nurses, and more than one-third of injuries occurred because of mismanagement of healthcare waste produced in the hospital environment, where needles were not disposed of appropriately in a hard container. Thus, 41.66% of injuries could be avoided if objects were thrown away correctly in specific containers. It is urgent to raise awareness of health care personnel and strengthen adherence to standard precautions as well as to provide suitable containers for the collection and disposal of needles and sharp objects.