Introduction:

Healthcare workers in the Department of Dermatology are routinely exposed to blood and body fluids (BBFs) during various procedures, including minor surgeries, biopsies, and wound care. These exposures pose a significant risk of transmission of blood-borne pathogens such as Hepatitis B Virus (HBV), Hepatitis C Virus (HCV), and Human Immunodeficiency Virus 1 (HIV). This study aimed to assess the prevalence of occupational exposure to BBFs among Health Care Workers in the Department of Dermatology in teaching hospitals and to identify factors associated with these exposures.

Methods:

A cross-sectional study was conducted among HCWs in the Department of Dermatology of selected teaching hospitals of a district. A structured questionnaire was used to collect data on demographic characteristics, occupational history, knowledge of infection control practices, and history of occupational exposure to BBFs. Data was analysed using descriptive statistics.

Results:

A total of 134 dermatologists participated in the study, with a male-to-female ratio of 55.2% to 44.8%. The majority (52.2%, n=70) were aged between 26–35 years, with 36.6% being consultants and 35.1% resident doctors. More than half of the participants (54.5%, n=73) reported daily contact with blood. In 71.1% of cases, the most common source of exposure to blood and body fluids was minor procedures such as GFC, PRP, dermaroller treatments, and skin biopsies. A significant proportion (62.7%, n=84) experienced needle-stick injuries, with 55.8% reporting multiple occurrences. Access to personal protective equipment (PPE) was reported by 54.7% of participants. While 68.6% received regular training on blood-borne pathogen exposure prevention, only 23.4% felt very confident in their ability to prevent such exposure. Additionally, 73% of participants were fully vaccinated against Hepatitis B. About 50.4% indicated that work-related overtime pressure negatively impacted their adherence to safety protocols. Key factors associated with increased risk of exposure included poor adherence to standard precautions, inadequate training, insufficiently trained laboratory staff, and heavy workload.

Conclusion:

Occupational exposure to blood and body fluids remains a significant concern among healthcare workers in dermatology departments, highlighting a clear gap between existing training and actual clinical practice. This underscores the need for a comprehensive and collaborative approach to address the issue. Recommended measures include regular training programs focusing on standard precautions, proper use of PPE, and post-exposure prophylaxis; ensuring adequate availability and correct usage of PPE; addressing excessive workload to reduce stress and improve compliance with safety protocols; and strengthening laboratory support through improved training and resources for staff.

Shini Choubey has completed MD residency. And at her young age of 28, she has authored 21 publications articles, in well esteemed indexed journals alongside 25 poster presentations and 14 oral paper presentations at reputed national and international conferences.Her contributions have been recognized through 15 awards and scholarships, conferred by esteemed organizations including the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology (EADV), the British Association of Dermatologists (BAD), the Indian Association of Dermatologists, Venereologists and Leprologists (IADVL), the South Asian Regional Conference of Dermatology (SARCD), and the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR).These achievements reflect not only productivity but a focused commitment to generating clinically relevant, impactful research within a limited training period.