Page 233 - SAHCS HIVMed Journal Vol 20 No 1 2019

Page 2 of 6 Original Research

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workload and long working shifts, are more prone to Pearson’s chi-squared test and Fisher’s exact test were
OBBFEs. The aim of this study was to determine the utilised to determine significant differences. The level of
prevalence, risk factors, adherence to post-exposure statistical significance was set at p < 0.05.
prophylaxis (PEP) guidelines and compliance with PEP
amongst intern doctors. Ethical consideration
Methods Ethical approval for this study was obtained from the
University of Witwatersrand Human Research Ethics
A quantitative cross-sectional descriptive study using a Committee (certificate no. M170496).
questionnaire based on a practice model was used. The
study population comprised intern doctors employed at Results
four different hospitals (Charlotte Maxeke Johannesburg A total of 212 questionnaires were administered, of which
Academic Hospital, Chris Hani Baragwanath Academic 175 were returned, giving a response rate of 82.5%. Out of
Hospital, Far East Rand Hospital and Thelle Mogoerane the 175 subjects who completed the questionnaire, there
Hospital) in the Gauteng province of South Africa. was a total of 182 (mean = 1.04, standard deviation [s.d.]
The former two hospitals are tertiary academic hospitals 0.88) reported OBBFEs amongst 136 (77.7%) subjects. Of
based in central and southern Gauteng, respectively, these 136 subjects, 106 (77.9%) had one exposure, 21 (15.4%)
whereas the latter two hospitals are secondary level had two exposures, 4 (2.9%) had three exposures, 3 (2.2%)
regional hospitals based in the east of Gauteng. All had four exposures and 2 (1.5%) had five exposures.
four hospitals are affiliated with the University of the Therefore, a total of 30 (22.1%) subjects had reported more
Witwatersrand. than one OBBFE.

Data collection was commenced soon after protocol Table 1 describes and compares gender, age group, work
approval and ethical clearance (University of the experience as well as the familiarity and user-friendliness
Witwatersrand, certificate no. M170496) were obtained. with institutional OBBFE protocols and policies between
Data collection was conducted between 13 September and subjects who had and those who had not experienced an
19 December 2017. As the 2-year medical internship OBBFE. Overall, there were marginally more female (n = 97,
programme in South Africa generally commences on 55.4%) than male subjects, with almost all subjects being
01 January every year, it was assumed that all study between 24 and 30 years of age (n = 170, 97.1%). The majority
participants had at least 8 months of working experience at of subjects (n = 124, 70.9%) were working in their second year
the time of data collection. The first part of the questionnaires of medical internship. Only 40% of subjects (n = 70) reported
aimed to determine gender, age, experience, significant that they were fully familiar with institutional OBBFE
blood or body fluids exposures, reporting of these exposures protocols/policies and 126 (72.0%) believed that these
and awareness of PEP protocols. The second part of the
questionnaire was based on details of OBBFEs and actions TABLE 1: Description and comparison of gender, age group, work experience as
well as the familiarity and user-friendliness with institutional occupational blood
taken after each exposure. and body fluid exposure protocols/policies between subjects who had and
those who had not experienced an occupational blood and body fluid exposure.
Variables Experienced Did not experience p*
The primary researcher attended unit meetings at various OBBFE (n = 136) OBBFE (n = 39)
clinical departments of the included hospitals where intern n % n %
doctors were working. Participant information and informed Gender
consent sheets as well as questionnaires that were placed in Male (n = 78, 44.6%) 57 41.9 21 53.8 0.186
an anonymous envelope were distributed to the intern Female (n = 97, 55.4%) 79 58.1 18 46.2
Age group (years)
doctors who were requested to voluntarily participate in the 24–30 (n = 170, 97.1%) 134 98.5 36 92.3 0.059
study. Completed questionnaires were placed back in the 31–40 (n = 3, 1.7%) 1 0.7 2 5.1
envelopes and collected immediately thereafter. > 40 (n = 2, 1.1%) 1 0.7 1 2.6
Confidentiality and anonymity of the participants were Work experience
maintained throughout the study. ≤12 months (n = 51, 9.1%) 37 27.2 14 35.9 0.292
> 12 months (n = 124, 70.9%) 99 72.8 25 64.1
Data were captured in an Excel spreadsheet (Microsoft Familiarity with institutional OBBFE protocol/policy
®
Excel 2010) and imported into Stata version 14 (StataCorp Fully familiar (n = 70, 40.0%) 54 39.7 16 41.0 0.065
®
®
82
Partially familiar (n = 103, 58.9%)
60.3
53.8
21
2015, College Station, TX) statistical software for analysis. Don’t know that these exist 0 0.0 2 5.1
Data were described and categorical variables were expressed (n = 2, 1.1%)
as frequencies and percentages. The prevalence of blood and User-friendliness of institutional OBBFE protocol/policy
body fluid exposures was calculated. Clinical and socio- Yes (n = 126, 72.0%) 96 70.6 30 76.9 0.806
demographic characteristics of the participants were No (n = 27, 15.4%) 22 16.2 5 4 12.8
13.1
10.3
I don’t know (n = 22, 12.6%)
18
compared between those who were exposed and those who OBBFE, occupational blood and body fluid exposure.
were not exposed to OBBFEs as defined in the questionnaire. *Statistical significance (p < 0.05).
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