Abstract

 Background and Objectives

 Biological hazards are among the major occupational hazards in blood transfusion centers. The aim of this study was to determine the exposure rate of the staff to biological hazards.

 Materials and Methods

 This research was a cross sectional study in 2009. A standard self administered questionnaire was used for data collection. Data were analyzed by SPSS15 by using the logistic regression model.

 Results

 Needle stick injury during the one year ending to the time of the study was reported in 11.9% of the staff and over their working lifetime 33%. Moucocutaneous exposure during the one year ending to the time of the study was 24% and over the working lifetime 39.6%. Regression analysis showed that occupational exposure was higher in the age groups of 20-29 (OR:2.29, 95%CI: 1.05-3.89) and 30-39 (OR:2.21, 95% CI: 1.03-3.72), those with the work experience lower than 5 years (OR:1.91, 95% CI: 1.14-3.20), among the staff with elementary and secondary education (OR:2.29, 95%CI: 1.09-3.82), and among the personnel not having participated in occupational protection training courses (OR:0.60, 95% CI: 0.39-0.92).

 Conclusions

 Occupational exposure was lower among the personnel of Tehran Blood Transfusion Center compared to other medical centers in the country. Providing special training programs for different occupational groups, making improvement in managing and organizing the personnel, and exerting direct supervision over occupational protection programs can reduce working errors and hazardous exposures.