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Occupational exposure to blood and body fluids and HIV post-exposure prophylaxis in health care facilities in Kenya 2011 – 2014
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2016
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Description:Post-exposure Prophylaxis (PEP) is a short term antiretroviral treatment to reduce the likelihood of HIV infection after potential exposure, either occupational or through sexual intercourse.
Health workers are the backbone of HIV/AIDS initiatives, and therefore determine the success rates of related interventions. Occupational exposure to blood or other body fluids in health care settings constitutes a small but significant risk of transmission of HIV and other blood-borne pathogens. In addition, such exposures can cause tremendous anxiety, fear and stress among health workers leading to a negative impact not only on the health workers, but also their families and colleagues. These infections acquired through the occupational route are largely preventable through strict infection prevention and control (IPC), universal precautions, use of safe devices, proper waste disposal, immunization against hepatitis B virus, and prompt management of exposures including the use of post-exposure prophylaxis for HIV. Within the health care sector, PEP should be provided as part of a comprehensive universal pre-caution package that reduces health workers’ exposure to infectious hazards in the course of duty.
Being at the frontline in responding to the public health needs, there is need for health workers to have optimal access to HIV services including prevention, treatment, care and support at the workplace.
THIS PUBLICATION is a Government of Kenya Document. It has been prepared by the
Ministry of Health’s National AIDS/STI Control Programme, Injection Safety Program and the Patient and Health Worker Unit with substantial support from PEPFAR through Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and implemented by mHealth Kenya. The views expressed in this document do not necessarily reflect views of CDC or the United States Government.
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