Knowledge, attitude and practice of hepatitis B infection prevention among nursing students in the Upper West Region of Ghana: A cross-sectional study.

INTRODUCTION: Hepatitis B infection remains a public health threat associated with undesirable statistics of morbidity and mortality. Good knowledge, attitude and practice (KAP) of hepatitis B infection (HBI) prevention are essential for HBI control. However, there is limited evidence concerning the KAP of HBI prevention among nursing students, who are significantly exposed to HBI. We assessed the KAP of HBI prevention and the factors associated with the practice of HBI prevention among nursing students in the Upper West Region of Ghana. METHODS: We administered an online cross-sectional survey in November 2020 to a stratified random sample of 402 nursing students in two nursing training colleges in the Upper West Region. Using STATA version 13, we computed composite scores of KAP of HBI prevention with maximum scores of 18 for knowledge and 8 each for attitude and practice. A generalised ordered logistic regression model was run to assess the factors associated with the practice of HBI prevention. RESULTS: The students had moderate median scores for knowledge (12.00; IQR = 10-13) and attitude (6.00; IQR = 5.00-7.00) but a poor median score (5.00; IQR = 4.00-6.00) for the practice of HBI prevention. High knowledge (aOR = 2.05; p = 0.06), good attitude, being a male, second year student and having parents with tertiary education were significantly associated with higher likelihoods (aOR >1; p < 0.05) of demonstrating good practice of HBI prevention. Students who had never married were significantly (aOR = 0.34; p = 0.010) less likely to exhibit good practice of HBI prevention. CONCLUSION: The KAP scores of HBI prevention among the students were sub-optimal. We recommend institution-based policies and regular education on HBI prevention, free/subsidised HBI prevention services, and the enforcement of proper professional ethics on HBI prevention in nursing training colleges. Such interventions should predominantly target female, non-married and first year nursing students.

Nurses' willingness to care for patients infected with HIV or Hepatitis B / C in Vietnam.

OBJECTIVES: This study examined the factors associated with nurses' willingness to care for patients infected with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) or hepatitis B or C virus (HBV/HCV) in Vietnam. METHODS: A cross-section of 400 Vietnamese nurses from two hospitals were selected using stratified random sampling, to whom a self-administered questionnaire was administered which included demographic items, previous experience with patients infected with HIV or HBV/HCV, and their attitudes toward these patients. Data was analyzed using descriptive statistics and multiple logistic regression. RESULTS: The lifetime prevalence of needlestick or sharps injury whilst caring for a patient infected with HIV or HBV/HCV was 9 and 15.8%, respectively. The majority of participants expressed a willingness to care for patients infected with HIV (55.8%) or HBV/HCV (73.3%). Willingness to care for HIV-infected patients was positively associated with being 40-49 years of age and confidence in protecting themselves against infection. Regarding HBV/HCV infection, willingness to care was positively associated with individual confidence in protecting themselves against infection. CONCLUSIONS: This study revealed that Vietnamese nurses were somewhat willing to care for patients infected with HIV or HBV/HCV, and this was associated with individual confidence in protecting themselves against infection and with negative attitudes towards HIV and HBV/HCV. Establishing a positive safety culture and providing appropriate professional education to help reduce the stigma towards infected patients offers an effective way forwards to improve quality of care in Vietnam, as elsewhere.

Reluctance to care for patients with HIV or hepatitis B / C in Japan.

BACKGROUND: Healthcare workers are faced with various professional dilemmas in the workplace, including at times, a reluctance to care for particular patients. This study investigated personal attitudes and factors influencing Japanese nurses' reluctance to care for patients infected with HIV, Hepatitis B Virus (HBV), or Hepatitis C Virus (HCV). METHODS: Participants completed an anonymous online survey focusing on potential attitudes towards hypothetical patients, awareness of infection risk and their confidence in using precautions to prevent infection. Statistical associations were analyzed using Poisson regression models. RESULTS: Regarding personal attitudes, 41% and 18% of nurses agreed or somewhat agreed that they would be reluctant to care for a hypothetical patient infected with HIV or HBV / HCV, respectively. Reluctance to care for patients with HIV or HBV / HCV was positively associated with prejudicial attitudes and negatively associated with confidence in personal safety precautions. Hypothetical reluctance to care for patients with HBV / HCV was negatively associated with actual previous experience caring for HBV / HCV patients. Older age among nurses (≥50 years) was positively associated with an increased reluctance to care for hypothetical patients with HIV. CONCLUSIONS: Overall, this study suggests that anxiety arising from perceived infection risk and having a prejudicial attitude might affect the acceptance of infected patients, while personal confidence in universal precautions probably mitigates this situation. Improving nurses' confidence in using universal precautions therefore represents a positive measure that can help reduce prejudice and improve the quality of healthcare services in Japan, as elsewhere.

Enfermagem: realidade da imunização contra hepatite B de um hospital do norte de Minas Gerais / Nursing: reality of immunization against hepatitis B in a hospital of the north of Minas Gerais / Enfermería: la realidad de la inmunización contra la hepatitis B un hospital en el norte de Minas Gerais

Objetivo: Avaliar a prevalência de vacinação e da verificação da imunização pós-vacinação contra hepatite B entre colaboradores de enfermagem. Métodos: Estudo transversal analítico conduzido entre todos os trabalhadores de enfermagem de um hospital universitário. As análises estatísticas foram realizadas no software SPSS® versão 18.0. A associação entre o relato de verificação da imunização pós-vacinação e as variáveis independentes foi investigada através de análise bivariada, seguida da análise múltipla por meio da Regressão Logística. Resultados: Dos 371 trabalhadores, 67,1% não verificaram a imunização pós-vacinação contra a hepatite B. A prevalência dos que verificaram a imunização foi maior entre os que se vacinaram, os homens, os que participaram de treinamento em relação à saúde do trabalhador e entre aqueles que não são sedentários. Conclusão: O não conhecimento contribui para a não vacinação e para a não verificação da imunização. Sugere-se a necessidade de campanhas educativas e a prevenção da hepatite B.

Objective: To assess the prevalence of vaccination and monitoring post-vaccination against hepatitis B immunization Amongnursing staff. Methods: A cross-sectional study Conducted Among all nursing workers of a university hospital. Statistical AnalyzesWere Performed in SPSS version 18.0 software. The association between the verification report of post-vaccination immunityand the independent variables was investigated using bivariate analysis, Followed by multivariate logistic regression analysisby. Results: Of the 371 workers, 67.1% did not VERIFY the hepatitis post-vaccination immunity B. The prevalence of found whoThose the immunization was greater Among Those Who Have Been vaccinated, the men, Those who participated in trainingin relation to the worker's health and Among Those Who do not are sedentary. Conclusion: Ignorance Contributes to the nonvaccinationand for not checking the immunization. It Suggests the need for educational campaigns and prevention of hepatitis B.

Objetivo: Evaluar la prevalencia de la inmunización y la verificación posterior a la vacunación contra Hepatitis B entre profesionalesde enfermería. Métodos: Estudio transversal analítico realizado con el equipo de enfermería de un hospital universitario. Elanálisis estadístico se concretizó por el software SPSS®, versión 18.0. La asociación entre el informe de verificación despuésde la vacunación y las variables independientes fueron investigadas a través del análisis bivariable, seguido del multivariable,mediante Regresión Logística. Resultados: De 371 trabajadores, 67,1% no verificaron la inmunidad después de la vacunación.La prevalencia de los que verificaban fue mayor entre aquellos que han sido inmunizados, los hombres, personas que hanparticipado del ejercicio sobre la relación con la salud del trabajador y entre los no sedentarios. Conclusión: La falta deconocimiento contribuye para la no vacunación y por no revisar la inmunización. Se sugiere la necesidad de campañas educativasde prevención contra Hepatitis B.

Nursing case management, peer coaching, and hepatitis a and B vaccine completion among homeless men recently released on parole: randomized clinical trial.

BACKGROUND: Although hepatitis A virus (HAV) and hepatitis B virus (HBV) infections are vaccine-preventable diseases, few homeless parolees coming out of prisons and jails have received the hepatitis A and B vaccination series. OBJECTIVES: The study focused on completion of the HAV and HBV vaccine series among homeless men on parole. The efficacy of three levels of peer coaching (PC) and nurse-delivered interventions was compared at 12-month follow-up: (a) intensive peer coaching and nurse case management (PC-NCM); (b) intensive PC intervention condition, with minimal nurse involvement; and (c) usual care (UC) intervention condition, which included minimal PC and nurse involvement. Furthermore, we assessed predictors of vaccine completion among this targeted sample. METHODS: A randomized control trial was conducted with 600 recently paroled men to assess the impact of the three intervention conditions (PC-NCM vs. PC vs. UC) on reducing drug use and recidivism; of these, 345 seronegative, vaccine-eligible subjects were included in this analysis of completion of the Twinrix HAV/HBV vaccine. Logistic regression was added to assess predictors of completion of the HAV/HBV vaccine series and chi-square analysis to compare completion rates across the three levels of intervention. RESULTS: Vaccine completion rate for the intervention conditions were 75.4% (PC-NCM), 71.8% (PC), and 71.9% (UC; p = .78). Predictors of vaccine noncompletion included being Asian and Pacific Islander, experiencing high levels of hostility, positive social support, reporting a history of injection drug use, being released early from California prisons, and being admitted for psychiatric illness. Predictors of vaccine series completion included reporting having six or more friends, recent cocaine use, and staying in drug treatment for at least 90 days. DISCUSSION: Findings allow greater understanding of factors affecting vaccination completion in order to design more effective programs among the high-risk population of men recently released from prison and on parole.

Hepatite B: prevalência de marcadores sorológicos em profissionais de enfermagem de emergência / Hepatitis B: prevalence of serological markers in emergency nursing professionals / Hepatitis B: prevalencia de marcadores serológicos en profesionales de enfermería de emergencia

Estudo quantitativo, descritivo, transversal com objetivo de avaliar a prevalência dos marcadores sorológicos para Hepatite B em profissionais de enfermagem dos serviços de emergência de Teresina/Piauí. Realizado de março a maio de 2010, com 317 profissionais de enfermagem de cinco hospitais públicos. Predominaram mulheres (94,3%), casados (54,6%), técnicos de enfermagem (59,9%) e tempo médio de profissão de 1 a 20 anos (55,5%). Não ocorreu positividade nos marcadores HBsAg e HBc total na população investigada. O Anti-HBs foi encontrado em maior evidência nos técnicos (32,6%) e auxiliares de enfermagem (31,7%). Houve associação estatisticamente significativa entre o Anti-HBs e as variáveis, número de doses de vacina e tempo de profissão (p=0,03). O controle sorológico do Vírus da Hepatite B é importante para o controle da progressão da doença em profissionais de enfermagem, porém a ampliação do acesso a essas medidas constitui um grande desafio.

This study was quantitative, descriptive and transversal and aimed at evaluating the prevalence of serological markers for Hepatitis B in nursing professionals from the emergency services in Teresina, Piauí, Brazil. It was held from March to May, 2010, with 317 nurses from five public hospitals. Females (94.3%), married (54.6%), nursing technicians (59.9%), and the average employment length of 1-20 years (55.5%) predominated. There was no positivity for HBsAg and HBc totalin the population investigated. Anti-HBs was found in greater evidence in nursing technicians and assistants (32.6%) and (31.7%), respectively. There was statistically significant association between anti-HBs and variables, number of vaccine doses and length of employment (p =0.03). The serological control of the Hepatitis B virus is important for the control of disease progression in nursing professionals, but the expansion of access to these measures is a major challenge.

Estudio cuantitativo, descriptivo y transversal para evaluar la prevalencia de marcadores serológicos de la HepatitisB en los profesionales de enfermeira de los servicios de emergencia en Teresina/Piauí – Brasil. Realizado de marzo a mayo de 2010, con 317 profesionales de enfermería de cinco hospitales públicos. Predominaron mujeres (94,3%), casados (54,6%), tecnicos de enfermería (59,9%) y la duración del empleo de 1-20 años (55,5%). No hubo positividad para HBsAg y HBc total en la población investigada. Anti-HBs se encontró en mayor evidencia en los técnicos y auxiliares de enfermería (32,6%) y (31,7%). Hubo asociación estadísticamente significativa entre los anti-HBs y las variables, número de dosis de vacuna y la duración del empleo (p = 0,03). El control serológico de la Hepatitis B es importante para el control de la progresión de la enfermedad en los profesionales de enfermería, pero la expansión del acceso a estas medidas es un gran desafío.

Sharps injuries amongst healthcare workers: review of incidence, transmissions and costs.

BACKGROUND: Sharps injuries and the related risk of infections such as hepatitis B virus (HBV), hepatitis C virus (HCV) and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) represent one of the major occupational health risks for healthcare workers (HCWs). LITERATURE REVIEW: An overview of available data on the incidence of sharps injuries and the related HBV, HCV and HIV infections and ensuing costs is provided. RESULTS: Literature reported incidence rates of sharps injuries ranging from 1.4 to 9.5 per 100 HCWs, resulting in a weighted mean of 3.7/100 HCWs per year. Sharps injuries were associated with infective disease transmissions from patients to HCWs resulting in 0.42 HBV infections, 0.05-1.30 HCV infections and 0.04-0.32 HIV infections per 100 sharps injuries per year. The related societal costs had a mean of €272, amounting to a mean of €1,966 if the source patient was HIV positive with HBV and HCV co-infections. CONCLUSION: Sharps injuries remain a frequent threat amongst HCWs. The follow-up and treatment of sharps injuries and the deriving consequences represent a significant cost factor.

A nurse-led community hepatitis B clinic.

Patients with chronic hepatitis B are usually managed by specialist teams in secondary care. This article explores some of the challenges of transferring aspects of these patients' care to a primary care setting by the same specialist nurse team.

HBV-related health behaviors in a socio-cultural context: perspectives from Khmers and Koreans.

PURPOSE: The aim of this study is to explore factors influencing health and health care within the sociocultural context of Cambodian Americans (CAs or Khmers) and Korean Americans (KA) and to examine intergroup similarities and differences between CAs and KAs, focusing on hepatitis B virus (HBV) and liver cancer prevention behaviors. METHODS: The study used a qualitative design guided by the revised Network Episode Model (NEM) and informed by ethnographic analysis. Focus group interviews with key informants among CA community health leaders (CHLs, n=14) and individual interviews with key informants of KA CHLs (n=9) were audiotaped and transcribed. RESULTS: Three categories that influenced HBV and liver cancer prevention emerged from both CAs and KAs: the socio-cultural, individual, and behavioral. Four additional subcategories (sub-themes) of sociocultural were identified as socio-history, socio-medicine, socio-linguistic, and socio-health resources. Both CAs and KAs, however, have low levels of knowledge and significant misunderstandings about HBV infection. CONCLUSIONS: The study identifies and compares the social-cultural determinant for HBV and liver cancer and highlights the factors of education, intercultural communication, and interactions within socio-cultural contexts of CA and KA subgroups. In general, conceptual overlaps are apparent between Khmers (from now on, the terms, CA and Khmer, will be used interchangeably) and Koreans except for the sub-theme of socio-history. However, differences in concept-specific attributes point to the need to account for differing conceptualizations and implications of specific ethnic groups' sociocultural contexts, and to design contextually-relevant outreach and educational interventions for targeted AAPI subgroups.

Quality of life, depression, and anxiety among hepatitis B patients.

This descriptive cross-sectional study was designed to determine the depression and anxiety levels, and their effects, on quality of life of patients with chronic Hepatitis B. Chronic infection with Hepatitis B virus has a profound effect on health-related quality of life. Medications, including interferon, that are commonly used to treat chronic viral Hepatitis B may cause depression as an adverse effect. However, little is known about the impact of depression and anxiety on quality of life in patients with Hepatitis B. A total of 96 patients aged between 15 and 61 years were included in the study. Slightly more than half of them (52%) were female. Three scales-the Beck Depression Inventory, Beck Anxiety Scale, and Short Form of the World Health Organization Quality of Life Questionnaire (WHOQOL-BREF)-were used in the study. The scores obtained from the BDS in 91.7% of the patients were above the cutoff value of 17. Moreover, 80 patients received interferon. There was a negative correlation between the physical, environmental, and cultural areas on the Beck Anxiety Scale and WHOQOL-BREF (Turkish) (p< .05). A high level of depressive symptoms was established in this study, and the physical, environmental, and cultural aspects of quality of life were determined to increase as the anxiety level increased.

Contributing factors to colorectal cancer and hepatitis B screening among Vietnamese Americans.

PURPOSE/OBJECTIVES: To identify factors associated with screening for colorectal cancer (CRC) and hepatitis B, because hepatitis B can increase the risk of liver cancer. DATA SOURCES: MEDLINE®, CINAHL®, and PsycINFO databases from January 1998 to April 2012. DATA SYNTHESIS: The 23 reviewed studies included 15 descriptive, 2 intervention, 3 qualitative, 2 chart or medical record review, and 1 mixed method. Most studies used an investigator-developed instrument with no reported reliability. Inconsistent operational definitions for contributing factors to screening made it challenging to make comparisons. CONCLUSIONS: CRC and hepatitis B screening are consistently low among Vietnamese Americans. Contributing factors included sociodemographics, knowledge, cultural beliefs, and external factors. External factors such as having a regular place of care and a healthcare provider were crucial because they influenced adherence to screening recommendations. Use of a public media education plus healthcare provider model and a culturally tailored intervention using Vietnamese lay advisors appeared to be promising for improving CRC screening. Additional intervention studies are needed to increase screening. IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING: Vietnamese is a fast-growing subgroup within the Asian American Pacific Islander (AAPI) group that may require targeted approaches to screening for disease. Future studies should focus on immigrants or those who were born in the United States (men and women) as disaggregated subgroups. Such research can inform culturally sensitive and appropriate interventions that may improve cancer screening rates. KNOWLEDGE TRANSLATION: Although Vietnamese is the fourth largest racial-ethnic subgroup within the AAPI group, the literature about contributing factors to CRC and hepatitis B screening is limited among this subgroup. CRC and hepatitis B screening are consistently low among Vietnamese Americans. Use of public media education plus a healthcare provider model and a culturally tailored intervention using Vietnamese lay advisors appears promising for improving CRC screening.

Hepatitis B: raising awareness in the South Asian community in Preston.

UNLABELLED: The Viral Hepatitis Nursing Team from Lancashire Care Foundation Trust implemented a project raising awareness on Hepatitis B (HBV), offering detailed risk assessments and diagnostic testing to the south Asian community in Preston using local mosques. Post questionnaires were given to the participants to evaluate the effectiveness of the intervention. RESULTS: In total 156 participants, all offered HBV testing and HBV vaccinations. 2 HBV surface antigen positive (HBsAg) positives, 10 past infection (HBsAg negative, antiHBC positive), 11 contacts followed up for testing and vaccinations. In conclusion, the initiative endeavours to increase the awareness of HBV amongst the population profile in order to improve the health of the South Asian community in the wider population as a direct result.

Análise da vulnerabilidade dos adolescentes à hepatite B em Teresina/PI / Analysis of the vulnerability of adolescents to hepatitis B in Teresina/PI / Análisis de la vulnerabilidad de los adolescentes a la hepatitis B en Teresina-PI

Os adolescentes fazem parte de grupos com elevada suscetibilidade à infecção pelo vírus da hepatite B em função da adoção de comportamentos de risco. Este trabalho objetivou analisar a vulnerabilidade dos adolescentes à hepatite B. Para isso, realizou-se estudo desenvolvido por meio de inquérito epidemiológico com 196 adolescentes de 14 a 19 anos. Os resultados mostraram que 57,1% dos adolescentes já haviam iniciado a vida sexual, destes 45,5% não tinham parceiro(a) estável, 54,5% pertenciam a faixa etária de 14 a 16 anos, 24,1% não usavam preservativo nas relações sexuais, 62,8% referiram não saber da transmissão do vírus da hepatite B e 61,2% não apresentavam cobertura vacinal contra este agravo. Conclui-se que os adolescentes constituem grupo vulnerável à hepatite B, devido a fatores condicionantes e determinantes, tais como desconhecimento sobre a doença, baixa cobertura vacinal, adoção de comportamento de risco e sensação de invulnerabilidade...

Adolescents are part of a group with a high susceptibility to infection with the hepatitis B virus, due to the adoption of high-risk behaviors. This study aimed at analyzing the vulnerability of adolescents to hepatitis B. In order to do so, a study was developed with196 adolescents between 14 and 19 years of age, utilizing an epidemiological survey. Results showed that 57.1% of the adolescents were sexually active; 45.5% of them did not have a stable partner, 54.5% were aged between 14 and 16 years, 24.1% did not use a condom during sexual relations, 62.8% stated they were not aware of the mode of transmission of the hepatitis B virus and 61.2% had not received the vaccine against this virus. Therefore, adolescents constitute a vulnerable group to hepatitis B, due to conditioning and determinant factors, such as lack of awareness regarding the disease, poor vaccine coverage, adoption of high-risk behaviors and a feeling of invulnerability to the disease...

Los adolescentes forman parte de los grupos con elevada susceptibilidad a infección por virus de la hepatitis B en función de la adopción de comportamientos riesgosos. Se objetivó analizar la vulnerabilidad de los adolescentes a la hepatitis B. Se realizó el estudio, desarrollado mediante averiguación epidemiológica con 196 adolescentes de 14 a 19 años. Los resultados expresaron que 57,1% de los adolescentes ya había iniciado su vida sexual; de ellos, 45,4% no poseía compañero/a estable, 54,5% tenía entre 14 y 16 años, 24,1% no utilizaba preservativo, 62,8% refirió no estar enterado de la transmisión del virus de la hepatitis B y 61,2% no presentaba cobertura de vacunación contra esta patología. Se concluye en que los adolescentes constituyen un grupo vulnerable a la hepatitis B, debido a factores condicionantes y determinantes, tales como el desconocimiento sobre la enfermedad, baja cobertura de vacunación, adopción de comportamientos riesgosos y sensación de invulnerabilidad...

Mobile outreach strategies for screening hepatitis and HIV in high-risk populations.

OBJECTIVES: To screen, counsel and offer hepatitis A and B vaccination for subjects at high risk for hepatitis C virus (HCV) and HIV, and determine any relationship between risk factors and HCV positivity. DESIGN AND SAMPLE: A descriptive correlational design. We correlated risk factors and HCV positivity and measured vaccination completion rates. Two hundred and two unduplicated subjects in 4 locations in Western Massachusetts: a walk in substance abuse clinic, a homeless shelter, a county jail, and a community corrections facility. MEASURES: Demographic data and a standard HCV risk- screening survey were used. RESULTS: Significantly higher rates of HCV were found in subjects who were currently using injection drugs (83.3% HCV positive, χ2(1) = 20.85, p<.001), who had a history of sharing needles for drug use (75% HCV positive χ(2) (1)=83.20, p<.001), or a history of receiving treatment for drug abuse/alcoholism (38.4% HCV positive χ2(1) = 12.14, p<.001). Vaccination completion ranged by setting between 18% and 38%. CONCLUSIONS: Targeted outreach to hard to reach groups is effective in providing access for those at high risk for HIV and HCV infection. A mobile outreach strategy can focus needed resources for a variety of groups in a community.

Prevalence of hepatitis B in haemodialysis nursing staff in Athens.

BACKGROUND: Healthcare workers are at high risk of acquiring hepatitis B and particularly haemodialysis staff. The aim of the study was to examine the prevalence of hepatitis B markers in haemodialysis nurses and to explore the determinants of the infection. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Two hundred and sixteen haemodialysis nurses from 20 haemodialysis units in Athens completed an anonymous questionnaire, their blood samples were taken and tested for hepatitis B virus (HBV) markers. RESULTS: The prevalence of positive HBsAg among nurses was 0.5%. Anti-HBc positivity due to past exposure to HBV was 12.5%. A total of 87.5% of the participants had immunity to HBV. Multivariate analysis demonstrated that previous exposure to HBV was related positively with the age of the haemodialysis nursing staff [odd ratios (OR): 1.115, 95% CI: 1.014-1.226, P = 0.025]. CONCLUSION: The prevalence of HBV in the haemodialysis nursing staff in Athens is low, the vaccination coverage and the immunity to HBV are high in comparison to previous reports.

[The meaning of accidents with biological material to nursing professionals]. / O significado do acidente de trabalho com material biológico para os profissionais de enfermagem.

The aim of this study is to understand what meaning work accidents with exposure to biological material has to nurses. This is an exploratory study with a qualitative approach, and it used Bardin's content analysis. 87 accidents with biological material occurred in the period between 2001 and 2006; among them, eight were seropositive for Hepatitis B and C and HIV/AIDS. An interview with guiding questions was used to collect data. When inquiring these professionals about the meaning of these accidents, four categories emerged: risk situation, danger perception, fatality, and feelings. Although it is not a strategy of clarification, it is a fact that work organization and educative actions have considerable impact in reducing this type of accident, also reducing damage to the life of nurses involved in these accidents.

O significado do acidente de trabalho com material biológico para os profissionais de enfermagem / El significado del accidente de trabajo con material biológico para los profesionales de enfermería / The significance of accidents involving biological material to nursing professionals

O objetivo deste estudo foi compreender o significado dos acidentes de trabalho com exposição a material biológico na perspectiva dos profissionais de enfermagem. De caráter exploratório com abordagem qualitativa pela análise de conteúdo de Bardin. No período de 2001 a 2006 ocorreram 87 acidentes com material biológico, sendo que destes, oito eram soropositivos para hepatite B e C e Síndrome da Imunodeficiência Adquirida/Vírus da Imunodeficiência Humana. Para coleta de dados utilizou-se entrevista com perguntas norteadoras. Ao indagar esses profissionais sobre o significado dos acidentes, emergiram quatro categorias: situação de risco; percepção de perigo; fatalidade e sentimentos. Embora não seja estratégia de esclarecimento, mas é fato que organização de trabalho e ações educativas tem impacto considerável para diminuir esse tipo de acidente, diminuindo prejuízos na vida dos acidentados.

El objetivo de este estudio ha sido comprender el significado de accidentes de trabajo con exposición a material biológico, desde la perspectiva de los profesionales de enfermería. De carácter exploratorio con enfoque cualitativo por el análisis de contenido de Bardin. En el período de 2001 a 2006 ocurrieron 87 accidentes con material biológico, de estos, ocho eran seropositivos para hepatitis B y C y Síndrome de la Inmunodeficiencia Adquirida/Virus de la Inmunodeficiencia Humana. Para recoger datos se ha utilizado entrevista con preguntas. Al preguntar a esos profesionales sobre el significado de los accidentes, han surgido cuatro categorías: situación de riesgo, percepción de peligro, fatalidad y sentimientos. Aunque no sea estrategia de aclaración, pero es un hecho que la organización de trabajo y acciones educativas tienen impacto considerable para disminuir ese tipo de accidente, disminuyendo perjuicios en la vida de los accidentados.

The objective of this present study was to understand the significance of occupational accidents with exposure to biological material from the perspective of nursing professionals. This study is exploratory with qualitative approach using Bardin's content analysis. 87 accidents involving biological material occurred in the period between 2001 and 2006, among them, eight were seropositive for hepatitis B and C and Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome/Human Immunodeficiency Virus. In order to collect data, it was used interview with oriented questions. When inquiring these professionals about the significance of these accidents, four categories emerged: risk situation, danger perception, fatality and feelings. Although it is not strategy of enlightenment, but it is fact that work organization and educative actions have considerable impact in order to reduce this type of accident, also reducing detriment to life of professionals who were involved in accidents.