Page 200 - GHES-3-3

Global Health Economics and
Sustainability
Blood exposure in Cameroon healthcare workers

Table 3. Multivariate meta‑regression analysis of factors influencing the heterogeneity of the prevalence of occupational exposure
to blood and other body fluids among healthcare workers in Cameroon from 2010 to 2023
Prevalence estimate Heterogeneity source Moderator Adjusted coefficient p‑value
12-month Study year 2010 – 2016 versus 2017 – 2023 −1.0005 0.084
Sample size ˂200 versus≥200 −0.0197 0.973
Region Other versus Centre 1.0273 0.078
Lifetime Study year 2010 – 2016 versus 2017 – 2023 −0.2674 0.798
Sample size ˂200 versus≥200 −1.0621 0.383
Region Other versus Centre 1.2131 0.067

Table 4. Parameters associated with occupational exposure to blood and other body fluids among healthcare workers in
Cameroon from 2010 to 2023
Authors Study Study Setting Region Results
design population
Cheuyem et al., 2023 CS HCWs Hospital Centre HCWs who aged < 35 years (AOR: 2.37, 95% CI: 1.09 – 5.22),
those with < 12 years of education (AOR: 0.34, 95% CI: 0.11 –
0.91), those who are working in a surgical unit (AOR: 3.11, 95%
CI: 1.33 – 7.38), and those who recycle scalp blades for reuse
(AOR: 7.56, 95% CI: 2.44 – 25.9) were at significantly higher risk
of percutaneous injury.
HCWs working in the surgical unit (AOR: 4.72, 95% CI: 1.95
– 12.3), in the obstetric unit (AOR: 3.16, 95% CI: 1.30 – 8.13),
those who did not receive refresher training (AOR: 2.88, 95% CI:
1.48 – 5.82), and those who were fully vaccinated against HVB
(AOR: 6.47, 95% CI: 2.25 – 20.5) were at significantly higher risk
of BBF splash exposure.
Esum et al., 2022 CS HCWs Hospital Centre and HCWs with tertiary education (AOR: 0.34, 95% CI: 0.16 – 0.75),
South-West or working in a surgical unit (AOR: 3.11, 95% CI: 1.33 – 7.38)
were at significantly higher risk of percutaneous exposure to
BBFs.
Takougang et al., 2024 CS HCWs Hospital East Midwives (AOR: 65.9, 95% CI: 8.49 – 1428) and cleaners (AOR:
14.7, 95% CI: 1.44 – 386) had a significantly higher risk of
occupational exposure to BBFs.
Takougang et al., 2024 CS HCWs Hospital South-West HCWs from the medical (AOR: 5.95, 95% CI: 1.77 – 24.3),
surgical (AOR: 3.74, 95% CI: 1.06 – 15.7), and pediatric (AOR:
10.9, 95% CI: 2.07 – 74.3) wards were significantly at higher risk
for percutaneous injury compared to those from the laboratory
unit.
Female HCWs (AOR: 2.86; 95% CI: 1.23 – 7.18), those working
in the laboratory (AOR: 13.3, 95% CI: 2.51 – 109), obstetrics
(AOR: 22.6, 95% CI: 4.3 – 186), dental service (AOR: 26.3,
95% CI: 2.91 – 361) were significantly more at risk of splashes
compared to those working in the emergency department.
HCWs who had not received refresher training on ICP (AOR:
2.41, 95% CI: 5.01 – 0.015) were significantly more likely to
underreport occupational exposure to BBFs.
Abbreviations: AOR: Adjusted Odds Ratio; BBF: Blood and other body fluids; CI: Confidence interval; CS: Cross-sectional study; HCW: Healthcare
worker; HVB: Hepatitis B virus; ICP: Infection control and prevention.

referral hospitals where most of the included studies other regions. In the fight against this medical hazard,
were conducted, may have benefited from better training, this evidence can be used to direct efforts and resources to
provision of personal protective equipment, and a safer where the burden of the phenomenon is higher, especially
working environment compared to health facilities in in a resource-limited country.

Volume 3 Issue 3 (2025) 192 https://doi.org/10.36922/GHES025090016