[Use of preventive strategies by surgeons and HIV exposure]

The objective of this study was to estimate how often surgeons use surgical gowns, masks, gloves and eyewear in the context of occupational exposure to HIV. The authors also wanted to determine what factors were associated with the use of these strategies. Generally surgeons reported infrequent use of preventive strategies. Regular use of double gloving was reported only by 8.5% of respondents, eye protection by 23%. About three-quarters of surgeons reported they always used masks and gowns, 86%--single gloves. Doctors who used eye protection regularly had less blood contacts via conjunctiva per year than surgeons who used such protection seldom or never (mean = 17.6 SD 52.2 vs mean = 21.5 SD 73.6; p<0.003). The older surgeons were more likely than the other respondents to use preventive strategies (p<0.01). Also, the orthopaedic surgeons more than the others adopted such strategies (p<0.0007). To improve the situation, efforts will need to be done to motivate the surgeons to adopt preventive strategies through adequate education system. Improving the comfort of barrier precautions and making them available may also increase the compliance with protection against HIV in the operation room.