Evaluation of infectious risk among biomedical agents in Morocco

Authors

  • Noura Zaam Higher Institute of Engineering and Health Technologies, Abulcasis International University of Health Sciences
  • Sanae Benssabri Higher Institute of Engineering and Health Technologies, Abulcasis International University of Health Sciences
  • Tahar Bajjou Research and Biosafety Laboratory, Mohammed V Military Teaching Hospital, Mohammed V University, Rabat, Morocco

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.18203/2394-6040.ijcmph20210201

Keywords:

biomedical engineer, pathogens, infectious risk, reporting incident

Abstract

Background: The Infectious risk among biomedical technicians and engineers is influenced by many variables like the health and immune status of the worker, the education and training they had, the suitability of the establishment for work with highly pathogenic agents, and availability of protective equipment. We report in this article the results of a survey carried out in the country and which was interested in the perception of the infectious risk by biomedical agents.

Methods: It is a descriptive study of the infectious risk among BMTE in Morocco with an assessment of the knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors by the use of a questionnaire transmitted to participants by google form.

Results: 84 persons participated in the survey. Biomedical agents report that the risk is either direct because they handle microorganisms (20%; 23/84), but above all indirect, since these are situations where they handle contaminated instruments or waste produced during care activities (41.7%; 48/84). The cutaneous route contamination showed a slight predominance (71.6%; 60/84) because they use sharp tools (64.3%; 54/84). Only half know they have to report this kind of incident (56.8%; 48/84) and Less than one in five (17.9%; 15/84) reported these accidents.

Conclusions: Moroccan law has not ignored occupational risk and equipment of protection is available in the workplace. However, most of the participants did not receive specialized training in infection risk management, they do not benefit from medical supervision, and immunization and accidents are underreported.

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Published

2021-01-27

How to Cite

Zaam, N., Benssabri, S., & Bajjou, T. (2021). Evaluation of infectious risk among biomedical agents in Morocco. International Journal Of Community Medicine And Public Health, 8(2), 550–557. https://doi.org/10.18203/2394-6040.ijcmph20210201

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Original Research Articles