Increased occupational exposure to body fluids in healthcare workers during the COVID-19 pandemic: a retrospective study f.

BACKGROUND

Healthcare workers (HCWs) are at risk of body fluids' exposure.

OBJECTIVE

The objective of this study was to study the incidence of occupational body fluid exposures in HCW at a tertiary hospital and largest coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) center in Mexico.

METHODS

Data on sociodemographics, exposure factors, and vaccination status were collected from questionnaires of HCWs self-reporting exposures (January 2013-December 2022). Hepatitis B and C virus (HBV and HCV) and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) serology data were retrieved from the laboratory platform. Descriptive statistics and variable associations were analyzed.

RESULTS

Four hundred and eighty-two exposures occurred, 311 in women (64.5%). Exposure incidence was 19.09/1000 person-years; 80% were percutaneous; and 20% were splashes. Median age of exposed HCWs was 21 years (standard deviation = 9.65). Nurses were the most exposed (n = 172, 35.6%), mainly in patients room (n = 223, 46%). About 40.5% of HCW had protective antibody titers to HBV surface antigen (anti-HBs). Self-reported vaccination status and protective anti-HBs titers had poor concordance (kappa = 0.02). One hundred and ninety-seven HCW required HIV post-exposure prophylaxis (40.8%) with no seroconversions. Exposures were highest in 2020 (78 cases, p = 0.001 vs. all years).

CONCLUSION

A high proportion of HCW lacked protective anti-HBs titers. Increased occupational exposures during the COVID-19 pandemic underline the need for standard precautions, HBV immunization, staff training, and post-exposure protocols to enhance pandemics preparedness.