Background: In health care centers receiving HIV positive patients the risk of occupational
exposure is of special concern to Health Care Workers (HCWs). Exposure to infected blood
and body fluids due to needle stick injuries present greatest over all risk to medical personnel
although in surgery ‘cuts’ during operations are additional hazard. The objective of the study
was to determine the Incidence of HIV infection among patients admitted to orthopedic ward in
Dil Chora Referral Hospital.
Methods: Between May 2007 and May 2009, and after pre test counseling the incidence of HIV
infection was determined for all patients admitted to our orthopedic ward using ‘Rapid tests’
as out-lined by Ethiopian Nutrition and Health Research Institute (ENHRI) guide lines. The
patients were again counseled before being given their test results. All the data was recorded by
the sole Author.
Results: A total of 731,525 male (72%), 206 females (28%) were admitted during the two year
study period. Out of these 28 patients (3.8%) were found to be infected by HIV; 17 (2.3%) were
males, and 11 (1.5%) were females and the majority (96%) were between the age of 15-54 years.
The reason for admission among the HIV positive patients were trauma in 20(71%), infections
in 6 (21%) and other diagnosis of musculoskeletal disorders in 2(7%). Non-operative treatment
was given for 16 (57%) and operative treatment for 12 (43%) of the HIV infected patients.
Conclusion: Implementation of Universal Safety Precautions (USP) for prevention of nosocomial
infection is recommended.
