327509
Blood borne pathogen assessment survey among healthcare workers in Haiti
Tuesday, November 3, 2015
Robert Feldman, Ph.D., FAAHB,
Department of Behavioral and Community Health, University of Maryland, School of Public Health, College Park, MD
Jane Lipscomb, PhD, RN,
Center for Community-based Engagement and Learning, University of Maryland Baltimore, Baltimore, MD
Background and Objectives: According to WHO, about three million of the world’s 35 million healthcare workers are occupationally exposed to Blood Borne Pathogens (BBP) each year. More than 90% of all occupational exposures occur in developing countries where the prevalence of three most common blood-borne pathogens (hepatitis B, C, and HlV) may be higher than that of developed countries. In Haiti, the HIV and hepatitis prevalence is about 2-4%. Therefore, in order to address BBP exposure among healthcare workers in Haiti a team of investigators from public health, nursing and medicine in the US and Haiti will be conducting a pilot study using a mixed-method approach to assess practices to prevent BBP transmission in hospitals in Haiti. Methods: All data collection will be in Haitian Creole by native speakers. Qualitative: Key informant interviews (6-9) will be conducted among hospital administrators in three hospitals (2 urban and 1 rural) about workplace health and safety practices related to the protection of workers against BBP. Quantitative: Surveys will be administered to 90 hospital employees (nurses, physicians, housekeeping staff, and lab technicians) assessing previous occupational exposure and workplace practices related to BBP. Additional questions will asked about Ebola preparedness. Expected Outcomes: Qualitative analysis (NVivo) of interviews and quantitative analysis (SAS) of the survey responses will be conducted. Expected outcomes, that will be described, will be an analysis of current workplace practices and barriers to the prevention of BBP transmission in healthcare delivery in Haitian hospitals.
Learning Areas:
Occupational health and safety
Learning Objectives:
Describe current workplace practices related to preventing BBP transmission among healthcare workers in Haitian hospitals.
Describe barriers relating to preventing BBP transmission among healthcare workers in Haitian hospitals.
Keyword(s): Occupational Health and Safety, International Health
Presenting author's disclosure statement:Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: I have been the principal or co-principal investigator of multiple federally funded grants focusing on occupational safety and health. Among my scientific interests has been the development of workplace programs in developing countries.
Any relevant financial relationships? No
I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines,
and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed
in my presentation.
