Prevalence of occupational blood and body fluid exposure among clinical nurses in China: A nationwide cross-sectional survey

Abstract Background: Nurses have a high prevalence of occupational blood and body fluid exposure (OBBE). However, the estimated OBBE prevalence among clinical nurses is rarely reported in mainland China. Aim: To assess the current OBBE prevalence and impact factors among clinical nurses in mainland China. Methods: A nationwide cross-sectional survey was conducted among clinical nurses in mainland China between February 2019 and February 2020. Demographic characteristics, prevalence of OBBE, reporting and treatment information were collected. Results: A total of 21,106 clinical nurses from 364 hospitals completed the questionnaire. The prevalence of OBBE was 52.1%, and 65.3% as reported to their hospitals after an OBBE accident. The risk for OBBE was significantly higher in those who had longer daily work hours (p<0.001). Nurses working in infectious disease specialist hospitals were less likely to experience OBBE than those in general hospitals [OR (95% CI): 0.77 (0.72–0.82), p<0.001]. The lack of implementation of standard prevention at work [OR (95% CI): 1.76 (1.63–1.90), p<0.001] and the absence of annual training on occupational exposure knowledge [OR (95% CI): 1.26 (1.13–1.41), p<0.001] significantly increased the risk for OBBE. In the subgroup analysis, the reporting and treatment after OBBE was significantly better in tertiary hospitals than in secondary and primary hospitals (p<0.001). Conclusions: The prevalence of occupational blood and body fluid exposure among nurses in mainland China was high. A detailed and complete reporting and treatment procedure of OBBE is required to be established and implemented in all hospitals.