| Document ID (ISN) | 111027 |
| CIS number |
10-0583 |
| ISSN - Serial title |
0340-0131 - International Archives of Occupational and Environmental Health |
| Year |
2010 |
| Convention or series no. |
|
| Author(s) |
Wicker S., Rabenau H.F. |
| Title |
Occupational exposures to bloodborne viruses among German dental professionals and students in a clinical setting |
| Bibliographic information |
Jan. 2010, Vol.83, No.1, p.77-83. 30 ref. |
| Internet access |
Occupational_exposures_to_bloodborne_viruses.pdf [in English]
|
| Abstract |
The purpose of this study was to evaluate the incidence of occupational exposures to patient body fluids among German dental healthcare workers (DHCW), to assess the rate of reporting of such incidents, and to evaluate the association of various factors with these exposures. Data were obtained through an anonymous questionnaire. The study confirms that occupational skills are an important factor concerning needlestick injuries (NSIs). Dental students had nearly twice the number of NSIs compared with dentists. Overall, 54.3% of the 265 of respondents had sustained at least one NSI in their professional life. One-fourth of respondents were not wearing a mask and 55.6% were not wearing protective goggles during their last occupational exposures. Occupational exposure to blood or body fluids is a common problem among DHCW and dental students. Measures must be adopted by official institutions, public health service, occupational health association and universities in order to reverse this situation. |
| Descriptors (primary) |
Germany; virus diseases; needle-stick injuries; blood; dental services; biological hazards; frequency rates |
| Descriptors (secondary) |
safety consciousness; experience; questionnaire survey; personal protective equipment |
| Document type |
D - Periodical articles |
| Subject(s) |
Commerce, services, offices
Medicine, hygiene and first aid
|
| Broad subject area(s) |
Biological hazards
|
| Browse category(ies) |
Biological hazards
|
