Knowledge and Risk Perceptions of Occupational Infections Among Health-care Workers in Malaysia
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Published on: June 7, 2017
Ganesh Chidambar Subramanian1, Masita Arip1, T S Saraswathy Subramaniam1
1Institute for Medical Research (Ministry of Health), Jalan Pahang, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
Abstract:
Health-care workers are at risk of exposure to occupational infections with subsequent risk of contracting diseases, disability, and even death. A systematic collection of occupational disease data is useful for monitoring current trends in work situations and disease exposures; however, these data are usually limited due to under-reporting. The objective of this study was to review literature related to knowledge, risk perceptions, and practices regarding occupational exposures to infectious diseases in Malaysian health-care settings, in particular regarding blood-borne infections, universal precautions, use of personal protective equipment, and clinical waste management. The data are useful for determining improvements in knowledge and risk perceptions among health-care workers with developments of health policies and essential interventions for prevention and control of occupational diseases.
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