Martha Vazquez Erlbeck, Dr¹, ANA M. Valles-Medina, MPH², Raymundo Reyes, MS², Gudelia Rangel, PhD², and Cecilia Mendez, Dr³. (1) MAESTRIA SALUD PUBLICA, UNIVERSIDAD AUTONOMA DE BAJA CALIFORNIA, Apdo Postal #113-A Mesa de Otay, Tijuana, BC 22350, Mexico, (619) 397- 4877, merlbeck@dhs.ca.gov, (2) FACULTAD DE MEDICINA, UNIVERSIDAD AUTONOMA DE BAJA CALIFORNIA, Apdo. Postal # 113-A, Mesa de Otay, Tijuana, B.C., 22350, Mexico, (3) Facultad de Medicina, Maestria en Salud Publica, Universidad Autonoma de Baja California, Apdo. Postal #113-A Mesa de otay, Tijuana, BC, Mexico

Introduction: The official ecological norm was published in Mexico in 1995; this norm establishes the fundamentals for collection, storage, transportation and final disposable of biological hazards waste generated on medical facilities. There is no epidemiological research in occupational exposure on health professionals in the city of Tijuana in Baja California State, Mexico. Also, there is no formal mechanism to train health professionals, just occasional courses regarding on handling of biological hazard waste with no special attention of health effects. This study pretends identify the level of knowledge of the maintenance workers of public health sector about biological hazard waste, universal safety measure, protection equipment required and new, basic training for new maintenance staff. Methodology: A descriptive transversal study was done; survey was applied to all the maintenance staff from five public sector hospitals with the total of 62 staff was surveyed. The hospital selection was based on similarity in provided services. Results: From the total of 62 employees, 60% were women and 85% were between 19 and 55 years old. They referred only too 20% that were trained with biological hazards waste management. The 50% collected the biological hazards waste in their facility. Only 60% wear personal protective equipment. Then 10% reported had an injury like needlestick. Only the 65% of this sample received the Hepatitis B vaccine. Conclusions: This study suggest recommendations for public health institutions that the maintenance worker is a health care worker and needs to know the fundamentals of infection protection.

Learning Objectives:

• to analyze maintenance workers knowledge level of the Mexican public hospital about biological hazards waste requirements

Keywords: Health Care Workers,

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.