Browsing by Author "W/Gebriel, Yoseph"

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    Assessment of Safety of Injection and Related Medical Practices in Health Institutions at Sidama Zone, SNNPRS
    (Addis Ababa University, 2004-04) W/Gebriel, Yoseph; Tesfaye, Fikru(PhD)
    Background: There is substantial discrepancy between much of the epidemiological evidence and the belief that nearly all of the HIV burden in sub-Sahara Africa can be accounted by heterosexual transmission and the sexual behavior of Africans. For this a number of observations raise the question of an alternative route of transmission, for which medical care and the use of injections are prime candidates. Objective: To assess the potential risk of transmission of blood born pathogens (HIV, HBV, and HCV) through needles and sharps in health care settings found at Sidama zone of SNNPRS. Methods: Health institutions based cross sectional survey was conducted from November 2003 to March 2004. From 22 government, 9 NGO and 9 private health institutions, 213 health care workers and 352 clients/patients were interviewed; 178 injection practices were observed; and dressing and delivery practices were observed in 37 and 27 health institutions respectively. Result: Accordingly, 74% of the observed injections were found out to be unsafe to the health workers, recipients or to the community. Contaminated and unsterile medical equipment that contact open skin or used for percutanous procedure were observed put ready for reuse in most health institutions. Most (97%) of the health institutes lack at least one equipment that was used for wound care or to assist delivery. Although, most the health care workers were aware of the transmission of diseases through contaminated vi needles, only 7% of them cited HBV, HCV, and HIV simultaneously. Thirty two percent of the health care workers reported a 12-month prevalence of accidental needle or sharp injury. 64% of these were deep or penetrating injuries. Most clients/patients (89.5%) were knowledgeable on the transmission of diseases through dirty needles. One hundred fifty seven (44.6%) of clients responded that they prefer oral drugs to injection preparations, which was preferred by 136(38.6%), when their children have fever. As opposed to the clients/patients, the majority (64.9%) of the HCWs claim that clients prefer injections when they appear to the out patient departments. Conclusion and recommendations: The study revealed that many injection and related medical practices were poor exposing clients/patients, health care workers and the community at risk for blood born pathogens. On job training for health care workers, and assessing reasons for the poor safety using assessment tool “A” was recommended. Key words Unsafe, Injection, medical, practice, health institution, blood born pathogens, health worker, clients, patients, clients