Epidemiological Assessment of Blood and Blood-Borne Pathogen Exposure Among Neurosurgical Health Care Workers in a...

This study aimed to examine the prevalence of occupational exposure to blood-borne pathogens (BBPs) and assess the associated psychological impact among health care workers (HCWs) in a neurosurgery department.

(1) A retrospective cross-sectional survey was conducted to assess BBP exposure trends among neurosurgical HCWs from 2008 to 2024. (2) A questionnaire-based survey was administered to HCWs with documented BBP exposure between 2022 and 2024 to assess occupational protection practices and psychological responses.

(1) The cross-sectional survey identified needlestick injuries (NSIs) to the hand were the most frequent type of exposure, primarily occurring in operating rooms and among physicians with 2 to 10 years of work experience. Emergency treatment was universally administered following exposure, however, follow-up examination rates varied widely (0.00%-76.92%). Compared to the control group, HCWs with multiple BBP exposures were more likely to be formally employed, vaccinated against hepatitis B, over 24 years old, and involved in a broader range of exposure-related procedures (p < 0.05). Formal employment status emerged as an independent risk factor for repeated exposures. (2) The questionnaire survey indicated low utilization of personal protective equipment (6.25%-18.75%) and limited participation in occupational safety training (37.50%), with pre-employment training being the most common (43.75%). Risk perception varied by gender and occupation, with males demonstrating lower risk perception and nurses exhibiting the highest awareness (p < 0.05). Most respondents (68.75%) considered departmental protective equipment adequate for routine clinical operations. Following exposure, 96.88% of HCWs reported psychological distress, with moderate to severe anxiety particularly prevalent among associate chief physicians and other HCWs exposed to syphilis-positive sources.

Targeted interventions are warranted to mitigate occupational BBP exposure, including enhanced safety training, emergency response drills, and departmental inspections. Ensuring access to adequate protective equipment and reinforcing procedural compliance are essential. Psychological support services and post-exposure follow-up should be prioritized for at-risk subgroups, particularly HCWs with higher professional ranks and those exposed to high-risk pathogens, to safeguard both physical and mental health.