Avaliação do nível de conhecimento e adesão a norma Regulamentadora (NR-32) sobre segurança e saúde no trabalho entre os médicos do Hospital das Clínicas da Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais

Abstract

Introduction: Healthcare professionals are exposed to multiple risks during the course of their work, but biological material exposure put them in risk of acquiring a wide range of infectious diseases, such as tuberculosis, meningococcal infection, HIV, HBV and HCV infections. Standard precautions are the best way to reduce the risk of exposure to blood and fluids. Brazil is the first country to adopt a regulation (NR-32) targeting health care professionals that covers protection against biological exposure. Objectives To assess knowledge about and adherence to NR-32 regulation in staff members of the UFMG University Hospital. Methods The study enrolled 93 members of house staff and 115 of attending/consulting staff, chosen at random. Between June and September 2009, data was collected through interview and/or semi- structured questionnaire divided in 3 domains: NR- 32 familiarity; biosafety knowledge; and adherence to standard precautions. In each domain, the answers were assigned points. The resulting score ranged from 0 (poor knowledge/adherence) to 7, 17 and 16(perfect knowledge/adherence), respectively. Cronbachs alpha was used to assess internal consistency of the score alpha = 0.75 was considered excellent concordance. Results Of the 208 doctors interviewed, 107(51.4%) were female and 119 (57.2%) were physicians. Mean age was 33.8 ± 9.39 years, and 8.99 ± 9.53 years of experience (median was 5 years). The average work hours were 50.42 ± 21.98 hours/week (median=60 hours). Age, experience years and work hours significantly differed when comparing residents and non-residents (p<0.001). The mean score for NR-32 familiarity was 2.3 ± 2.19 (expected minimum mean was 5.25) with Chronbach´s alpha of 0.836. Biosafety knowledge averaged 12.31 ± 2.10 (expected minimum mean was 12.75). Adherenceto standard precautions mean score was 10.33 ± 2.3 (expected minimum mean was 12). Individual mean scores for needle recapping, use of gloves, masks and glasses during procedures were 2.14,2.69,2.27, and 1.20, respectively(ranging 0-3). Taking the lab coat off on leaving the hospital scored 2.09. Minimum expected score was 2.25 for each item.Conclusions Familiarity with NR-32 regulation is poor, but biosafety knowledge is adequate. Adhesion to standard precautions is adequate, despite poor performance in some items when assessed separately.