Int J Intern Emerg Med | Volume 5, Issue 2 | Research Article | Open Access
Djalogue L1*, Mossi KE2, Tchamdja T1, Djagadou K2, Balaka A3 and Djibril MA2
1Department of Internal Medicine, Kara Teaching Hospital, University of Kara, Togo 2Department of Internal Medicine, The Sylvanus OLympio Teaching Hospital, University of Lomé, Togo 3Department of Internal Medicine, Campus Teaching Hospital, University of Lomé, Togo
*Correspondance to: Djalogue Lihanimpo
Fulltext PDFObjective: The aim of our study was to evaluate the knowledge, attitudes and practices of midwives and birth attendants regarding Blood Exposure Accidents (BEA). Methodology: This is a descriptive cross-sectional study carried out over a period of 5 months among midwives and midwives working in maternity wards in the Kara region (Togo). Results: During the study period, 74 midwives and birth attendants responded to the questionnaire. The average age was 34.59 years with extremes of 22 and 56 years. The prevalence of AES was 62.16%. Almost all (98.65%) of the respondents mentioned a splash of biological fluid on a skin wound as a circumstance for the occurrence of AES. Amniotic fluid (90.54%) and blood (86.49%) were recognized by the respondents as being the most contaminating biological fluids. HIV/AIDS (95.95%), hepatitis B virus (83.78%), and hepatitis C (82.43%) were the pathogens most at risk of transmission during an AES according to the respondents. Furthermore, 83.78% of respondents thought that the severity of AES is linked to the severity of the infection in the patient. All of the respondents decontaminated the equipment after use before washing them, 6.76% did not wear aprons in the delivery rooms, 4.05% did not wear gloves before invasive care and 43.24% did not wear protective glasses during invasive care. All respondents reported the accident to the referring doctor and the majority knew the measures to take in the event of AES. Conclusion: Although the level of knowledge, practices and attitudes of midwives and birth attendants regarding AES are quite satisfactory, AES accidents are not less frequent among these health personnel. We should therefore always emphasize measures to prevent AES, as well as measures to be adopted after an AES in order to significantly reduce AES and avoid microbial contamination during an AES.
Blood exposure accident; Midwives; Knowledge; Togo
Djalogue L, Mossi KE, Tchamdja T, Djagadou K, Balaka A, Djibril MA. Knowledge, Attitudes and Practices of Midwives and Birth Attendants on Blood Exposure Accidents. Int J Intern Emerg Med. 2023; 5(2): 1052..