Accidental exposures to blood among dental health care workers in five Referral Hospitals in Yaoundé, Cameroon.

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Published Dec 27, 2025
https://doi.org/10.62438/tunismed.v103i10.5307
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Vol. 103 No. 10 (2025): Tunis Med Oct 2025

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Lionel Berthold Keubou Boukeng
Department of Diseases, Epidemics and Pandmics Control, Cameroon
Marie Laura Abo Okala
Department of Public Health, P.O. Box 1364, Yaoundé, Faculty of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, University of Yaoundé I, Cameroon
Jean Yves Bevela
Ministry of Health, East Regional Delegation, Yaoundé, Cameroon.
Claude Axel Minkandi
Ministry of Health, East Regional Delegation, Yaoundé, Cameroon
Charly Ebogo Etoa
Department of Public Health, P.O. Box 1364, Yaoundé, Faculty of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, University of Yaoundé I, Cameroon

Abstract

Introduction: Dental healthcare workers are at risk of being infected during their work due to exposure to blood.


Aims: To determine the prevalence of accidental exposure to blood and body fluids, to assess the knowledge, attitudes, and practices of these dental healthcare workers, and to identify factors associated with this exposure.


Methods: A cross-sectional hospital-based study was conducted between December 1st 2020 and June 1st 2021 in the dental services of five referrals hospitals. Dental healthcare workers present at the time of the study were recruited. Data were analyzed with R software. Multivariate analysis was used to determine factors associated with blood exposure, with their adjusted odds ratios and p-values. A p value < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: The frequency of accidental exposure to blood was 55% (95% CI: 47.9% - 67.2%), with needle stick injury (34.8%) being the main mechanism. Assessment of perceptions among victims revealed that those with average knowledge (84.6%), right attitudes (62.5%), and adequate practices (55.5%) were predominant. Factors statistically associated with accidental exposure were dental technician (adjusted Odds Ratio = 2.5; p = 0.02), length of employment greater than 10 years (adjusted Odds Ratio = 1.9; p < 0.01), insufficient knowledge (adjusted Odds Ratio = 2.5; p = 0.023), harmful attitudes (adjusted Odds Ratio = 3.5; p = 0.006), and inadequate practices (adjusted Odds Ratio =1.6; p = 0.008).


Conclusion: There is a high rate of accidental exposure to blood in dental units. Efficient strategies....(abstract truncated at 250 words)

Keywords:

blood, dental service, exposure, hospital, worker, Yaoundé

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