Knowledge, practice, and behavior of health care workers confronted to AIDS and the occupational risk of HIV transmission in Morocco

Abstract Objectives – We wanted to evaluate the knowledge, attitude, and behavior of healthcare workers on AIDS. Method – Two hundred sixty six healthcare workers were surveyed in 2 hospitals, (Rabat and Casablanca). Working conditions presenting a risk of occupational HIV transmission were also analyzed, to develop appropriate prevention. A cross-sectional study was made, using a standardized questionnaire. Ninety one doctors (34.2%), 106 nurses (39.8%), 12 laboratory technicians (8.8%) and 47 support staff (17.6%) working in various departments were included. The mean age was 32.7 years, with 83% under 40 and more than half having worked in hospital for less than 10 years. Results – The personnel knew a great deal about HIV transmission but much less about possible occupational contamination. One person out of 2 was unaware of how to inactivate HIV in hospital environment (Chlorine water, 70% alcohol), and only 18.4% knew that HIV was heat sensitive. Fifty percent thought that a systematic exclusion of patients with HIV was essential and 66% suggested that every patient admitted to the hospital should undergo systematic HIV testing. Anxiety in these settings was expressed by 56% of doctors and 62% of paramedical workers, and 85% thought they were at high risk of contamination. The frequency of occupational injuries was high and such accidents rarely declared (7%). Conclusion – This shows that greater efforts should be made to educate and inform health care workers through the occupational medicine units recently set up for the benefit of the staff.