RESUMO
OBJECTIVE: To examine the incidence of exposure to potentially infectious bodily fluids by athletic trainers in the high school setting in the performance of their daily responsibilities. We also looked at the actions of officials in dealing with athletes with bleeding injuries. DESIGN AND SETTING: Athletic trainer contact with athletes and incidents of exposure to potentially infectious bodily fluids were recorded at 18 high schools in northern New Jersey during the fall 1994 athletic season. The number of times officials removed an athlete from the game or required a change of uniform, or both, was also counted. The data were analyzed with descriptive statistics. SUBJECTS: Eighteen athletic trainers and 3537 student-athletes at 18 high schools in northern New Jersey. MEASUREMENTS: Number of contacts with athletes; number of contacts with potentially infectious bodily fluids; age of athlete; sport of athlete; whether the contact was in a practice or game; if in a game, whether the athlete was removed from the game by the official; and whether or not the athlete was required to clean or change the uniform. RESULTS: Of the athletic trainer contacts with athletes, 4.10% involved potentially infectious bodily fluids. The incidence of exposure to potentially infectious fluids was 12.9% of the athlete contacts. Athletes in game situations were required to change or clean a uniform in 23.7% of the bleeding incidents, and officials removed an athlete from a contest in 1.7% of the game-related bleeding incidents. CONCLUSIONS: Universal precautions and personal protective equipment should be used in the athletic setting. Further study into the application of rules by officials governing the participation of athletes with blood-stained uniforms is needed.
RESUMO
Pregnant women who were seen in 3 hospitals in Amsterdam were tested for antibodies to HIV, after informed consent. Out of 2,308 eligible pregnant women, 2,094 (90.7%) participated by name and 21 (0.9%) anonymously; 193 (8.4%) refused to participate. Among refusers there were significantly more women with a non-Dutch nationality or born in other countries. Of 2,115 pregnant women, 6 were found to be HIV-infected (0.28%, 95% confidence interval (0.05-0.51). Among women who at their first prenatal visit reported no AIDS-risk factor either for themselves or their partner(s), the HIV prevalence was 1/1,893 (0.05%) and among women with such risk factor the prevalence was 5/180 (2.78%). Three of the seropositive pregnant women knew before they were tested that they were HIV-infected. Of the 6 HIV-infected women one had a spontaneous abortion and the 4 women who were tested within the period when therapeutic abortion was still possible, decided to continue their pregnancy.