Wilson V, Mooteeram L, Gayle C, Hull B; International Conference on AIDS.
Int Conf AIDS. 1991 Jun 16-21; 7: 428 (abstract no. W.D.4161).
Caribbean Epidemiology Centre, Port of Spain, Trinidad, WI
OBJECTIVE: To assess safety management, knowledge and compliance among laboratory workers in the English-speaking Caribbean, with regard to adoption of Universal Precautions Policy (UPP). METHOD: Laboratory workers were surveyed via an anonymous, self-administered, pre-coded questionnaire. RESULTS: Management and Policy - Most respondents indicated a deficiency in safety policies and/or manuals, accident investigation and reporting systems, and safety education. A significant number of respondents had not received Hepatitis B vaccine. Knowledge - Most staff indicated some familiarity with UPP and a good knowledge of modes of acquiring HIV and other blood borne pathogens in the laboratory. Practices - Protective wear was under-utilized. There were instances of eating, drinking, smoking and mouth pipetting. Needles, in widespread use, were frequently recapped, with some extent of improper disposal. CONCLUSION: This preliminary survey indicates that there is inadequate compliance with safety standards. This may be attributed largely to a lack of awareness of the need to maintain such standards. Safety management should be improved and laboratory workers' perception of the real risk of infection heightened.
Publication Types:
Keywords:
- Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome
- Animals
- Attitude
- Attitude of Health Personnel
- Blood-Borne Pathogens
- Caribbean Region
- Ethnic Groups
- HIV Infections
- Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice
- Knowledge
- Laboratories
- Questionnaires
- Universal Precautions
- manpower
- methods
- therapy
Other ID:
UI: 102193603
From Meeting Abstracts