Abstract

JUNCO DIAZ, Raquel de los Angeles; OLIVA PEREZ, Soniabel; BARROSO URIA, Isabel  and  GUANCHE GARCELL, Humberto. Riesgo ocupacional por exposiciòn a objetos cortopunzantes en trabajadores de la salud. Rev Cubana Hig Epidemiol [online]. 2003, vol.41, n.1, pp. 0-0. ISSN 1561-3003.

A cross-sectional epidemiological study was conducted among health workers from a hospital of Boyeros municipality, in Havana City, from September to December, 1999, aimed at determining the risk of exposure to sharp objects. The universe of work was composed of 412 exposed workers (120 physicians, 162 nurses, 56 technicians, 26 sterilization assistants and 48 general assistants) that were working during the analyzed period at the 25 services generating sharp waste identified in this institution. They were surveyed about accidental injuries and punctures. 28.2 % of the workers reported having suffered from at least one accidental injury or puncture in the 12 months previous to the study, contrasting with the absence of notification to the department of occupational protection and hygiene in the same period under study. The lack of knowledge of the adequate practices in the managemenet of sharp objects was proved.

Keywords : HEALTH SURVEILLANCE [methods]; ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION; PREVENTION AND CONTROL; FOOD HYGIENE [STANDARS]; DESINFECTION [STANDARS]; CONSUMER PRODUCT SAFETY [STANDARS].