Background: Healthcare workers (HCW) often neglect their occupational safety, while providing quality care to the patients.
Objectives: To know the prevalence and risk factors involved in transmission of Blood-borne viruses (BBV) to HCW and also to see the changes in prevalence in past 5 years and the factors involved in the changing trend.
Materials and methods: This is a cross sectional study for 5 years. Since January 2018, every reported occupational exposure of HCW in the hospital has been registered by the Hospital Infection Control Committee (HICC). Occupational exposure includes needle stick injuries, cutting and scratching with a sharp object, body fluids splash etc. Details of HCW exposed to BBV were recorded.
Results: From 2018 to 2022, a total of 186 (23.48%) HCW were exposed to blood and body fluids. Year wise occupational exposure rate was 5.43%, 5.2%, 4.2%, 4.2% and 4.54% for the year 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021 and 2022 respectively. Over 5 years, needle stick injury (38%) was the most common occupational exposure (OE). During 2018 and 19, nurses were most affected, whereas in 2020, 21, and 22 housekeeping staff were most commonly affected. 92.7% of HCW attended regular HIC training sessions.
Conclusion: A safe workplace can be provided to HCW by having a good administrative health policy, guidelines for the use of PPE, providing adequate PPE, regular training of HCW regarding the appropriate use of PPE, and BMW management.