Page 194 - GHES-3-3

Global Health Economics and
Sustainability
Blood exposure in Cameroon healthcare workers

1. Introduction personal protective equipment, and adherence to infection
control and prevention guidelines, can significantly reduce
Occupational exposure to blood and other body fluids the burden of occupational exposure to BBFs among
(BBFs) represents a significant risk for the transmission of HCWs (Takougang et al. 2023). The reporting pattern
bloodborne infections among healthcare workers (HCWs). of occupational exposure to BBFs remains low in many
Such exposures increase the risk of infections such as
human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), hepatitis B, and healthcare facilities in developing countries, including
hepatitis C. In many cases, exposures occur when blood or Cameroon (Ghanei et al., 2018; Takougang et al., 2023).
other body fluids splash into the eyes, nose, or mouth, or In addition, the lack of a surveillance system leads to the
come into contact with non-intact skin (Sahiledengle et al., underestimation of the burden of this occupational health
2018; Westermann et al., 2015). It can also occur through problem (Nouetchognou et al., 2016).
percutaneous injuries caused by needlesticks and sharp Several primary reports in Cameroon revealed a high
objects (Cheuyem et al., 2023). Infectious materials include prevalence of occupational exposure to BBFs (Aminde
body fluids such as blood, urine, saliva, and droplets, as et al., 2015; Cheuyem et al., 2023; Nouetchognou et al., 2016;
well as contaminated tissue, tools, equipment, surfaces, Takougang et al., 2024; Takougang et al., 2024). However,
and the environment (Takougang et al., 2024). there are no reports in Cameroon to quantify the pooled

Review studies indicate that occupational exposure prevalence of occupational exposure to BBFs and the
to BBFs is one of the most serious issues affecting the reporting pattern among HCWs. Documenting the overall
health and well-being of HCWs in most health systems, burden of occupational exposure to BBFs is essential, as
especially in developing countries (Mengistu & Sina, these data will be useful in raising awareness and designing
2020). Several factors contribute to the increased risk of intervention strategies to guide the implementation of
accidental exposure to BBFs, including age, professional safety standards in the country’s health facilities (Hibbert
status, working units, work experience, shift work, as et al., 2023; Takougang et al., 2023). The present systematic
well as lack of training and supervision (Alamneh et al., review and meta-analysis were conducted to estimate
2020; Hassanipour et al., 2021). Percutaneous injuries, the pooled prevalence of BBF exposure among HCWs in
particularly needlestick and sharp injuries, are significantly Cameroon.
associated with professional status and disproportionately
affect medical staff. This is likely due to their frequent 2. Methods
involvement in surgical procedures and blood collection, 2.1. Study design
both of which carry a high risk of exposure (Cheuyem et
al., 2023; Huang et al., 2017; Lin et al., 2019). The surgical This systematic review was conducted in accordance with
department, where invasive procedures are common, the PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic
reported the highest incidence of injuries (Dilie et al., Reviews and Meta-Analysis) guideline (Moher et al., 2009).
2017; Gyawali et al., 2013; Hassanipour et al., 2021; Mbaisi
et al., 2013; and Zhang et al., 2015). Younger HCWs 2.2. Study setting
(under 30) experienced fewer injuries compared to their Cameroon’s population is estimated to be approximately
older colleagues, possibly due to a decline in adherence to 28.6 million people as of 2023. It covers a surface area of
safety protocols with increased experience (Mandana and 472,650 km and is spread across 10 administrative regions,
2
Likwela, 2013). Similarly, HCWs with <12 years of formal including the Centre, Littoral, Far-North, North, Adamawa,
education had a lower risk of injury, likely because they North-West, South-West, West, East, and South. The
were assigned to tasks with lower exposure risk, such as country boasts two capitals: Yaoundé, located in the Centre
patient monitoring and cleaning (Aminde et al., 2015; region, serves as the nation’s political hub, while Douala,
Hassanipour et al., 2021; Kaweti and Abegaz, 2016). Hygiene situated in the Littoral region, is the economic powerhouse
workers primarily sustained injuries while cleaning, often driving the country’s growth (Bigna et al., 2017). In terms
from needles that were discarded improperly (Huang et of the health system component, in 2023, Cameroon
al. 2017; Lin et al. 2019). The variability in exposure rates reached the World Health Organization standard for
among similar-level health facilities suggests that hospital- health facility density (2.3/10,000 population), with 24.0
specific factors, including infrastructure and management available beds per 10,000 population. The country has 11.3
practices, must be addressed to improve safety (Cheuyem qualified HCWs and reports an estimated 0.41 outpatient
et al., 2023). consultations per person per year (Cheuyem et al., 2024).
The implementation of preventive measures, such as The health system is structured into three levels: central,
educational programs, the correct and systematic use of intermediate, and operational (Takougang et al., 2024).

Volume 3 Issue 3 (2025) 186 https://doi.org/10.36922/GHES025090016