The incidence and distribution of accidents with biological fluids among health personnel and the general population

• Published in: Gaceta sanitaria Vol. 10; no. 57; p. 274
• Main Authors: Imaz Iglesia, I, Gómez López, L I, Fernández Martínez, J A, Mareca Doñate, R, Sangrador Arenas, L A
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: Spanish
• Published: Spain 01.11.1996
• Subjects: Accidents, Home - statistics & numerical data; Accidents, Occupational - statistics & numerical data; Adolescent; Adult; Body Fluids; Female; Health Personnel - statistics & numerical data; HIV Seropositivity - epidemiology; HIV Seropositivity - transmission; HIV-1 - immunology; Humans; Incidence; Male; Middle Aged; Registries - statistics & numerical data; Spain - epidemiology; Spain
• ISSN: 0213-9111

To assess the informative usefulness of the Registry, to calculate the incidence rates of accident with biological fluids among health care workers and in the community, to know about the postaccident rate of seroconversion to HIV and to identify risk groups. A descriptive study of the HIV records file of the Registry of Accidental Contacts to Biological Fluids in the Clinic Hospital of Zaragoza was conducted, between January 1987 and September 1993. The registry includes the reports of health care workers and the general population of Health Area III in Aragón (Spain), except for the Calatayud's Hospital. Incidence rates, rate ratios and their 95% confidence intervals were calculated. A total number of 595 accidents were reported, in none of them and HIV infection occurred subsequently. The incidence rate in health care workers was of 1.7 reports per 100 workers per year, while in the community it was of 8.1 per 100,000 people. The housekeeping staff was the group with a higher incidence (rate = 6.7; 95% IC: 3-14.8) and the type of accident more frequently described was needlestick injury. The incidence of reported accidents has increased in the community and in health care workers, which may be due to the increase in the reporting. In health care workers, the incidence in 1993 was within the range reported from other countries. The perception of risk is universal after accidents with unknown biological fluids. The correct disposal of material with biological contamination should be the more important preventive action.