Abstract

SANTOS, Solange Sousa; COSTA, Nairicéia Alves da  and  MASCARENHAS, Márcio Dênis Medeiros. Characterization of occupational exposures to biological material among hospital workers -Teresina, Piauí State, Brazil, 2007 to 2011. Epidemiol. Serv. Saúde [online]. 2013, vol.22, n.1, pp.165-170. ISSN 1679-4974.  http://dx.doi.org/10.5123/S1679-49742013000100017.

OBJECTIVE: to describe occupational exposures to biological material (OEBM) in hospitals in Teresina, Piauí State, from 2007 to 2011. METHODS: a descriptive study with datafrom the Information System for Notifiable Diseases (Sinan), analyzed using descriptive statistics. Demographic variables (age, sex, occupation) and the occurrence of accidents (type of exposure, organic material, circumstances, devices) were studied. RESULTS: 268 OEBM cases were reported, majority females (84.0%), aged 18 to 29 years (40.3%), among nursing assistants and technicians (67.2%), by percutaneous exposure (65.3%), and organic material like blood (83.2%). OEBM cases were more frequent during administration of medication (22.8%) and by needles (74.2%). CONCLUSION: it was possible to identify the vulnerability of health professionals against the occurrence of EOMB, especially the nursing staff. It is necessary to give visibility to the EOMB occurrence and to intensify prevention strategies among healthcare professionals.

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