Fear of Deportation Makes Many Nurses Hide Infectious Diseases - DUBAI

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Fear of Deportation Makes Many Nurses Hide Infectious Diseases

Croucher

17 December 2008

DUBAI - Healthcare workers who are likely to have contracted HIV or Hepatitis B

from hospital needles and scalpels are often not reporting the injuries for fear

of losing their jobs.

A survey of 1,420 nurses and doctors in Dubai and Sharjah revealed that one in

five was injured by sharp objects and 55 per cent of those injuries were from

contaminated objects.

However, under-reporting was six fold in a study group of 752 workers and

non-existent in a further study group of 668 workers.

“People are often scared of reporting these injuries because they could be

socially excluded or isolated,” said Dr Ana , Specialist Physician at

Welcare Hospital in Dubai.

“Especially in the UAE, they could lose their jobs if they are found with these

diseases.”

“There is a three-month incubation period from the point of injury until the

disease becomes apparent,” said . “There is a high degree of anxiety during

this period for healthcare workers.”

The study has not been published but findings were revealed at the International

Risk Management Conference on Tuesday.

It is the first of its kind in the UAE and fills a gap in World Health

Organisation statistics.

Bins overflowing with hypodermic needles can cause accidental injury and over

half of the injuries reported in the survey were from objects which had been

inadequately disposed of.

Immediately after injury, the healthcare worker should be given medication to be

taken an hour after the injury to prevent contraction of HIV.

While this is available in the government hospitals, private hospitals do not

similarly protect staff. said the same protection should be offered at

private hospitals.

Moreover, she added that where such treatment was available, it was important

that nurses be able to report injuries anonymously rather than having to put

their careers on the line.

The two healthcare organisations surveyed in ’s report had previously made

employees pay for their own Hepatitis B vaccinations soon after joining the

company.

This meant that many had opted out and were not protected against the disease.

However, after hospital bosses were notified of the survey both organisations

began to offer free vaccinations to new employees.

[Guest guest]

http://www.khaleejtimes.com/DisplayArticle.asp?xfile=data/theuae/2008/December/t\

heuae_December299.xml & section=theuae & col=

Fear of Deportation Makes Many Nurses Hide Infectious Diseases

Croucher

17 December 2008

DUBAI - Healthcare workers who are likely to have contracted HIV or Hepatitis B

from hospital needles and scalpels are often not reporting the injuries for fear

of losing their jobs.

A survey of 1,420 nurses and doctors in Dubai and Sharjah revealed that one in

five was injured by sharp objects and 55 per cent of those injuries were from

contaminated objects.

However, under-reporting was six fold in a study group of 752 workers and

non-existent in a further study group of 668 workers.

“People are often scared of reporting these injuries because they could be

socially excluded or isolated,” said Dr Ana , Specialist Physician at

Welcare Hospital in Dubai.

“Especially in the UAE, they could lose their jobs if they are found with these

diseases.”

“There is a three-month incubation period from the point of injury until the

disease becomes apparent,” said . “There is a high degree of anxiety during

this period for healthcare workers.”

The study has not been published but findings were revealed at the International

Risk Management Conference on Tuesday.

It is the first of its kind in the UAE and fills a gap in World Health

Organisation statistics.

Bins overflowing with hypodermic needles can cause accidental injury and over

half of the injuries reported in the survey were from objects which had been

inadequately disposed of.

Immediately after injury, the healthcare worker should be given medication to be

taken an hour after the injury to prevent contraction of HIV.

While this is available in the government hospitals, private hospitals do not

similarly protect staff. said the same protection should be offered at

private hospitals.

Moreover, she added that where such treatment was available, it was important

that nurses be able to report injuries anonymously rather than having to put

their careers on the line.

The two healthcare organisations surveyed in ’s report had previously made

employees pay for their own Hepatitis B vaccinations soon after joining the

company.

This meant that many had opted out and were not protected against the disease.

However, after hospital bosses were notified of the survey both organisations

began to offer free vaccinations to new employees.