Blood and body fluid exposures in the French military

Occupational exposure to blood and body fluids (BBFs) is a hazard of many occupations, particularly hospital-based health care providers. However, non-hospital-based health care workers (HCWs) and other personnel not providing health care are also at risk.

To present the results of surveillance of accidental exposure to BBFs among non-hospital-based French military personnel between 2007 and 2009, comparing different occupational categories.

The study population included all French military personnel subjected to occupational BBF exposure in a non-hospital setting. BBF exposure was defined as any percutaneous (needlestick injury, scalpel cut, etc.) or mucocutaneous (splash to mucosa, eyes or non-intact skin) exposure to blood, a biological fluid contaminated with blood or a fluid known to transmit blood-borne pathogens.

Between 1 January 2007 and 31 December 2009, 704 occupational BBF exposures were reported in non-hospital-based French military personnel. Annualized BBF exposure incidence rates were statistically different among health care workers in non-hospital settings, firefighters, 'gendarmes' and other military personnel, with respectively 38.7, 5.4, 0.8 and 0.1 exposures per 1000 persons per year. Among the 97 cases of HIV post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) initiated, the source patient's HIV status was unknown in 78 cases (84%).

These results suggest that the appropriateness of HIV PEP initiation in the French military should be reviewed. Adapting French guidelines for managing BBF exposure, for non-hospital-based environments should be considered.