Exposures to blood and body fluids in Brazilian primary health care

Background Primary health care workers (HCWs) represent a growingoccupational group worldwide. They are at risk of infectionwith blood-borne pathogens because of occupational exposuresto blood and body fluids (BBF). Aim To investigate BBF exposure and its associated factors amongprimary HCWs. Methods Cross-sectional study among workers from municipal primaryhealth care centres in Florianópolis, Southern Brazil.Workers who belonged to occupational categories that involvedBBF exposures during the preceding 12 months were interviewedand included in the data analysis. Results A total of 1077 workers participated. The mean incidencerate of occupational BBF exposures was 11.9 per 100 full-timeequivalent worker-years (95% confidence interval: 8.4–15.3).The cumulative prevalence was 7% during the 12 months precedingthe interview. University-level education, employment as a nurseassistant, dental assistant or dentist, higher workload score,inadequate working conditions, having sustained a previous occupationalaccident and current smoking were associated with BBF exposures(P 0.05). Conclusions Primary Health Care Centres are working environmentsin which workers are at risk of BBF exposures. Exposure surveillancesystems should be created to monitor their occurrence and toguide the implementation of preventive strategies.