OCCUPATIONAL EXPOSURE TO HIV - ACTUAL KNOWLEDGE AND TRENDS IN PREVENTION

Occupationnal risk of contamination with HIV is well known. At the date of june 1992, 8 proven cases has been recorded in France, 31 in USA. The risk concerns essentially nurses and phlebotomists during blood sampling. After a needlestick with a needle containing HIV contaminated blood, the risk of contamination is near 0.3 %. Some risk factors are clearly identified : needlestick with an hollow bore needle, deep injury, long time contact in mucous membrane contamination, source patient with AIDS. Prevention should essentially focuse some procedures : blood sampling and infusion handling. It must include a better organization of work in health care settings and the use of new safety materials.