Assessment of Occupational Exposure to Human Immunodeficiency Virus and Hepatitis C Virus in a Referral Hospital in Burundi, Central Africa

To the Editor:The occupational risk of viral infection among healthcare workers (HCWs) is well documented.Although universal precautions were established many years ago, 1 their application is difficult in developing countries, owing to organizational problems and a lack of necessary materials such as gloves and proper needle-disposal facilities. 2 Data on the frequency and circumstances of occupational exposures in developing countries are sparse.2 We report data from Burundi, a country with high rates of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV) seroprevalence, based on a questionnaire that surveyed HCWs and auxiliary staff regarding perceptions of occupational exposure, frequency of exposures as defined by Centers for Disease Control and Prevention criteria, 1 circumstances of exposures, and postexposure practices.We also estimated a cumulative risk for seroconversion to HIV and HCV due to parenteral exposure based on data from the survey.Kamenge University Hospital is located in Bujumbura, the capital of Burundi.It is a 450-bed referral center with 344 HCWs and auxiliary staff members.Reporting exposures is not mandatory, and exposed workers are not observed.All materials and care procedures are paid for by the individual exposed.Since 1993, the sociopolitical crisis in Burundi has led to a marked reduction in protective measures, including gloves, sterile injection equipment, and containers for disposing of used needles and blades, which are often reused.The questionnaire was completed by 219 HCWs and auxiliary staff (63% of all staff).All categories of staff