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American Public Health Association
133rd Annual Meeting & Exposition
December 10-14, 2005
Philadelphia, PA
APHA 2005
 
3037.0: Monday, December 12, 2005 - 8:50 AM

Abstract #109976

Evaluating injection safety interventions as a strategy to prevent transmission of HIV and hepatitis in health facilities

Karen L. Van Roekel and Marjan Najafi. Making Medical Injections Safer Project, John Snow, Inc, 1616 N. Ft. Myer Drive, 11th floor, Arlington, VA 22209, (703) 528-7474, kvanroekel@jsi.com

Background: Using funds from the President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR), USAID and CDC contracted John Snow Inc. (JSI) and its partners to implement the Making Medical Injections Safer Project in 11 countries heavily affected by HIV/AIDS in Africa and the Caribbean. This project focuses on preventing the transmission of HIV and hepatitis in health care settings by improving injection practices and reducing exposure to sharps waste. The people at risk of infection through unsafe injections are patients, health care workers (through needle stick injuries), and the wider community (through poor waste disposal practices). It is estimated that unsafe injections globally account for 5% of HIV, 32% of hepatitis B, and 40% of hepatitis C infections.

Methods: In 2004, baseline health facility surveys were completed with observations of injections, interviews with health care workers, supervisors and waste handlers, and exit interviews with patients. In Mozambique, for example, at baseline 46% of used sharps were placed in open containers, exposing staff to needle stick injuries and 81% of curative injections used re-usable devices. In 2005, follow-up surveys are planned to evaluate progress in key technical areas including policy development, capacity building, procurement and logistics of safe injection commodities, reducing unnecessary injections through advocacy and behavior change, and sharps waste management. Key indicators related to health worker behaviors, safe disposal of sharps waste, and management of commodities will be presented.

Results: Results will be compared between baseline and follow-up for several countries in this project, including Mozambique, Tanzania, Rwanda and Uganda.

Learning Objectives: At the conclusion of this session, the learner will be able to

Keywords: Health Care Workers, Occupational Safety

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

I wish to disclose that I have NO financial interests or other relationship with the manufactures of commercial products, suppliers of commercial services or commercial supporters.

[ Recorded presentation ] Recorded presentation

HIV/AIDS Prevention: From Safer Medical Procedures to Changed Sexual Behavior

The 133rd Annual Meeting & Exposition (December 10-14, 2005) of APHA