A survey of bloodborne occupational exposure protection behavior among qualified Chinese midwives: A cross-sectional study

BACKGROUND: Bloodborne occupational exposure is a major public health concern of the China Health Commission, especially among midwives who are at high risk among healthcare workers. Knowledge of occupational exposure and appropriate protective behaviors play important roles in reducing occupational exposure. The purpose of this study was to understand the knowledge and level of protection against bloodborne occupational exposure among midwives in China. METHODS: This was a multi-center, cross-sectional study. Midwives from hospitals that are members of Infectious Disease Nursing Committee of Chinese Nursing Association were selected as survey participants from February 2019 to February 2022 using a judged sampling method. Data were collected by using a self-developed questionnaire for Chinese midwives to report their current knowledge and behavior related to bloodborne occupational exposure protection. RESULTS: A total of 2850 questionnaires were distributed and 2742 valid questionnaires were obtained, resulting in an effective rate of 96.21 %. Midwives scored 2742 (6.495 ± 1.529) points for their knowledge about bloodborne occupational exposure protection, with the level and type of hospital being independent factors affecting the midwives' knowledge of bloodborne occupational exposure protection (χ2 = 27.284, P = 0.038; χ2 = 28.374, P = 0.000). Of the midwives, 1460 were qualified for bloodborne occupational exposure protection behavior, with a qualified rate of 53.25 %. Working years (χ2 = 9.372, P = 0.002) and working hours (χ2 = 13.933, P = 0.000) were also the independent factors for bloodborne occupational exposure protective behavior in midwives. CONCLUSION: Chinese midwives possess relatively good knowledge of bloodborne exposure protection against bloodborne infectious diseases, but their behavioral level is not optimistic. Improvements to both knowledge and behavioral level of bloodborne occupational exposure protection are necessary.