Qian Wu1, Xiao Fei Xue2, Dimpy Shah3, Jian Zhao2, Lu-Yu Hwang3, GuiHua Zhuang4. 1. Department of Epidemiology, Xi'an Jiaotong University School of Public Health, Shaanxi, People's Republic of China. 2. Pucheng County Hospital, Weinan, Shaanxi, People's Republic of China. 3. Division of Epidemiology, Center for Infectious Diseases, School of Public Health, University of Texas Health Science Center, Houston, TX, USA. 4. Department of Epidemiology, Xi'an Jiaotong University School of Public Health, Shaanxi, People's Republic of China 673932345@qq.com.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Health care workers (HCWs) seek, treat, and care for patients living with HIV/AIDS on a daily basis and thus face a significant risk to work-related infections. To assess the knowledge, attitude, and practices regarding occupational HIV exposure and protection among HCWs in low HIV prevalence areas of rural China. METHODS: A cross-sectional questionnaire survey was carried out among all medical units in Pucheng County, Shaanxi, China. RESULTS: Response rate of this study was 94%. The average overall knowledge score of HCWs was 10.9 of 21.0. Deficiencies in general, transmission, exposure, and protection knowledge were identified among HCWs at all levels. A high rate of occupational exposure (85%) and lack of universal precautions practice behavior were recorded. Significant predictors of universal precautions practice behavior were female sex, prior training, and greater knowledge about HIV/AIDS. CONCLUSION: Health care workers at various levels have inadequate knowledge on HIV/AIDS and do not practice universal precautions. Nurses and medical technicians at the county level faced more occupation risk than other HCWs. The key of AIDS training for different levels of HCWs should be distinguished.
BACKGROUND: Health care workers (HCWs) seek, treat, and care for patients living with HIV/AIDS on a daily basis and thus face a significant risk to work-related infections. To assess the knowledge, attitude, and practices regarding occupational HIV exposure and protection among HCWs in low HIV prevalence areas of rural China. METHODS: A cross-sectional questionnaire survey was carried out among all medical units in Pucheng County, Shaanxi, China. RESULTS: Response rate of this study was 94%. The average overall knowledge score of HCWs was 10.9 of 21.0. Deficiencies in general, transmission, exposure, and protection knowledge were identified among HCWs at all levels. A high rate of occupational exposure (85%) and lack of universal precautions practice behavior were recorded. Significant predictors of universal precautions practice behavior were female sex, prior training, and greater knowledge about HIV/AIDS. CONCLUSION: Health care workers at various levels have inadequate knowledge on HIV/AIDS and do not practice universal precautions. Nurses and medical technicians at the county level faced more occupation risk than other HCWs. The key of AIDS training for different levels of HCWs should be distinguished.