Prevention and Treatment of Infectious Diseases in Healthcare Workers
Somwang Danchaivijitr, MD*, Yong Rongrungruang MD*, Sawaeng Booncsalermvipas LLM**, Amnaj Gusalanan MD***, Yuwadee Tuntiwattanapibul RN****
Affiliation : *Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok, **Faculty of Laws, Thammasart University, Bangkok, ***Department of Forensic Medicine, Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, ****Center for Nosocomial Infection Control, Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital
Objectives : To study the prevention and treatment of infectious diseases offered to healthcare workers (HCWs)
in Thailand.
Materials and Methods : Data were collected by interviewing in 2002.
Results : A total 1,218 HCWs in 33 hospitals were interviewed. Nurses and doctors were the majority group,
accounting for 31.5% and 30.5% respectively. Pre-employement health screenings were done by physical
examination in 56.0% and chest X-ray in 55.7% and immunization against hepatitis B and tubuculosis were
offered in 17.7% and 11.4% respectively. Annual physical examination and chest x-ray were done in 66.3%
and 76.9%. Reported infection with hepatitis A hepatitis B, tuberculosis in HCWs were as high as 16.8%, 4.0%
and 2.6% respectively. Only 3.5% to 24.3% of HCWs ever read guidelines on the prevention of infection.
Existing laws allowed the implementation of prevention, treatment and compensation in case of occupation-
ally acquired infection in HCWs.
Conclusion : Prevention of infection in HCWs was implemented far below the ideal level. They should be
better protected under existing laws.
Keywords : Prevention, Treatment, Infectious diseases, Healthcare workers
