Assessment of Knowledge, Attitudes and Practices on Prevention of Accidental Exposure to Blood and Body Fluids in the Context of Infection Prevention and Control in Private Health Facilities in Dakar (Senegal)

Introduction: Prevention of Accidental exposure to blood and body fluids (AEB) is a key component of infection prevention and control (IPC) strategies. According the World Health Organization (WHO), approximately 3 million healthcare professionals are exposed to needlestick injuries each year, resulting in 37% of hepatitis B cases, 39% of hepatitis C cases and 4.4% of HIV infections among these worked. In Africa figures are likely higher than reported due to probable underreporting. Such incidents pose a significant occupational risk to healthcare workers, particularly in resource-limited settings. This study aimed to evaluate the knowledge, attitudes, and practices of healthcare staff regarding Accidental exposure to blood and body fluids in private Catholic healthcare facilities. Materials and Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional, observational, descriptive study from March 25 to June 6, 2024, in nine private Catholic healthcare establishments. The study was carried out in two phases: (1) a self-administered questionnaire and (2) an audit through direct observation. Data were entered into Microsoft Excel 2013 and analysed using SPSS version 22. Ethical principles were respected throughout the study. Results: A total of 64 healthcare workers were surveyed, and 75 were observed. The majority were female (73.4%), with a median age of 38 years (range: 26–67) and a mean professional seniority of 10.2 ± 9.5 years. Nurses (45.3%), nursing assistants (12.5%), and laboratory technicians (10.9%) were the most represented categories. Overall, 79.7% of respondents were aware of accidental exposure to blood, and 40.6% had experienced at least one accidental exposure to blood and body fluids, with a reporting rate of 42.3%. The most feared infections were HIV (89.1%), hepatitis B (84.3%), and hepatitis C (35.4%). Needle recapping after intravenous or intramuscular injection was reported by 43.8% of respondents. Of the 48 sharps containers observed, 64.5% were clean, 68.7% were appropriate for use, and 70.8% complied with recommended filling levels. Conclusion: Although accidental exposure to blood and body fluids is widely recognised among healthcare workers, it remains frequent and underreported. Strengthening preventive measures, improving adherence to safe injection practices, and promoting systematic reporting are essential to reducing the risk of occupational exposure.