Incidence of work accidents involving exposure to biological materials among healthcare workers in Brazil, 2010-2016.

BACKGROUND: Work accidents involving exposure to biological materials (WAEMB) are frequent among healthcare workers (HCW) and might have consequences for their health. OBJECTIVE: To describe the characteristics of WAEMB involving HCW and post-exposure measures in Brazil as a whole. METHODS: Ecological study based on secondary data recorded by System of Information on Notifiable Diseases (SINAN) for the period from 2010 to 2016. We performed descriptive analysis and calculated incidence coefficients (IC) per 1,000 HCW/year using software Stata 14.0. RESULTS: The highest IC corresponded to 2014 (16.84). On analysis per state, the highest IC corresponded to Goiás, Minas Gerais, São Paulo and Paraná. Most victims were women, nursing assistants or technicians (64.71%), workers aged 15-31 years old, and with ≥12 years of formal education. Most accidents involved blood (74.93%) and percutaneous exposure (75.33%); needles were the most frequent causative agent (57.59%). About 29.71% of victims did not wear gloves at the time of the accident, and 1.12% refused chemoprophylaxis. Data missed for several variables of interest. CONCLUSION: Our description points to the need for effective preventive measures mainly based on use of personal protective equipment, lifelong learning and continuing education for HCW and adequate WAEMB reporting.

INTRODUÇÃO: Os acidentes de trabalho com exposição a material biológico (ATEMB) entre os profissionais de saúde ainda são frequentes e podem acarretar consequências à saúde do trabalhador. OBJETIVO: Descrever as características e as condutas adotadas pós-exposição entre os profissionais de saúde vítimas de ATEMB no Brasil. MÉTODOS: Estudo ecológico, com dados secundários registrados no Sistema de Informação de Agravos de Notificação (SINAN), no período de 2010 a 2016. Realizou-se uma análise descritiva, calcularam-se os coeficientes de incidência (CI) por 1.000/profissionais-ano. Utilizou-se o Stata 14.0 para análise dos dados. RESULTADOS: O maior CI no país foi observado no ano de 2014 (16,84). Na análise por unidade federativa (UF), os maiores CI foram encontrados em Goiás, Minas Gerais, São Paulo e Paraná. Entre os casos notificados, prevaleceram a população feminina, na faixa etária entre 25­31 anos, com 12 anos ou mais de escolaridade, e auxiliares e técnicos de enfermagem (64,71%). O sangue foi o material biológico mais envolvido nos acidentes (74,93%) por meio da via percutânea (75,33%), com a agulha sendo o principal agente causador (57,59%), e 29,71% dos pesquisados não utilizavam luvas no momento do acidente. Nas condutas adotadas pós-exposição, 1,12% recusou a quimioprofilaxia indicada. Entre as variáveis relacionadas em estudo, existiam muitos dados registrados como ignorado ou em branco. CONCLUSÃO: A descrição levantada denota a necessidade de medidas de prevenção efetivas que estejam baseadas principalmente no uso do equipamento de proteção individual e na educação permanente e continuada dos profissionais, assim como no preenchimento adequado das fichas de notificação.

Factors associated with neural alterations and physical disabilities in patients with leprosy in São Luis, State of Maranhão, Brazil.

INTRODUCTION: Leprosy is a chronic infectious disease that is caused by Mycobacterium leprae. The objective of this study was to evaluate the risk factors that are associated with neural alterations and physical disabilities in leprosy patients at the time of diagnosis. METHODS: A prospective cross-sectional study was conducted on 155 leprosy patients who participated in a program that aimed to eliminate leprosy from São Luis, State of Maranhão. RESULTS: Patients who were 31-45 years of age, were older than 60 years of age or had a partner were more likely to have a disability. Patients with partners were 1.14 times more likely (p = 0.025) to have disabilities of the hands. The frequency of disabilities in the feet among the patients with different clinical forms of leprosy was statistically significant. CONCLUSIONS: The identification of risk factors that are associated with neural alterations and physical disabilities in leprosy patients is important for diagnosing the disease because this approach enables physicians to plan and prioritize actions for the treatment and monitoring of patients.

Factors associated with neural alterations and physical disabilities in patients with leprosy in São Luis, State of Maranhão, Brazil

Introduction Leprosy is a chronic infectious disease that is caused by Mycobacterium leprae. The objective of this study was to evaluate the risk factors that are associated with neural alterations and physical disabilities in leprosy patients at the time of diagnosis. Methods A prospective cross-sectional study was conducted on 155 leprosy patients who participated in a program that aimed to eliminate leprosy from São Luis, State of Maranhão. Results Patients who were 31-45 years of age, were older than 60 years of age or had a partner were more likely to have a disability. Patients with partners were 1.14 times more likely (p = 0.025) to have disabilities of the hands. The frequency of disabilities in the feet among the patients with different clinical forms of leprosy was statistically significant. Conclusions The identification of risk factors that are associated with neural alterations and physical disabilities in leprosy patients is important for diagnosing the disease because this approach enables physicians to plan and prioritize actions for the treatment and monitoring of patients. .