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Vol. 2 No. 2 (2025)

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May 3, 2026
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December 31, 2025

Copyright (c) 2025 Ahmed Jardi Ali Majmi, Khalil Mohammed Khalil Aldhuwaymir, Abdullah Ali Nasser Alshehri, Monirah Salem Alharbi, Hanan Faris Ahmed Muswadi, Basmah Abdulelah Abdullah Madkhali, Yara Abduh Ali Sultan, Nemat Nour Allah Qari, Abdulaziz Salman Almukhalfa, Jawaher Mohammed Abkar Zailai, Fatimah Ibrahim Ali Sharwani, Wejdan Abdullah Ahmed Ali, Afnan Obeid Saeed Alanzi

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This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

Occupational Exposure to Bloodborne Pathogens Among Nurses, Dental Staff, and Health Security Workers-An Updated Review

https://doi.org/10.64483/202522704
Ahmed Jardi Ali Majmi
Basamta Primary Health Care Center, ministry of health, Saudi Arabia
Khalil Mohammed Khalil Aldhuwaymir
Al-Aradh Primary Health Care Center, ministry of health , Saudi Arabia
Abdullah Ali Nasser Alshehri
Alqabel Primary Health Care Center, Aseer Health Cluster, ministry of health , Saudi Arabia
Monirah Salem Alharbi
Ministry of health , Saudi Arabia
Hanan Faris Ahmed Muswadi
Al-Aridah General Hospital, Ministry of Health, Saudi Arabia
Basmah Abdulelah Abdullah Madkhali
Prince Mohammed bin Nasser Hospital, Jazan, ministry of health , Saudi Arabia
Yara Abduh Ali Sultan
PMBNH, Jazan Health Cluster, ministry of health , Saudi Arabia
Nemat Nour Allah Qari
Aliah PHC, Madinah, Ministry of Health, Saudi Arabia
Abdulaziz Salman Almukhalfa
Cardiac Center, Arar, Northern Borders, ministry of health , Saudi Arabia
Jawaher Mohammed Abkar Zailai
Al-Shati Health Center, ministry of health , Saudi Arabia
Fatimah Ibrahim Ali Sharwani
Abu Arish General Hospital, ministry of health , Saudi Arabia
Wejdan Abdullah Ahmed Ali
Urgent Care Center, Sabya, ministry of health , Saudi Arabia
Afnan Obeid Saeed Alanzi
Primary Health Care, Al-Murooj, Tabuk, ministry of health , Saudi Arabia

Corresponding Author(s) : Ahmed Jardi Ali Majmi

Ajmajm@moh.gov.sa

Saudi Journal of Medicine and Public Health, Vol. 2 No. 2 (2025)

Abstract

Background: Occupational exposure to bloodborne pathogens remains a significant hazard for healthcare workers despite the implementation of global safety standards such as the OSHA Bloodborne Pathogens Standard. Nurses, dental staff, and health security workers are particularly vulnerable due to frequent contact with blood and body fluids, increasing the risk of transmission of HIV, HBV, and HCV.


Aim: This review aims to synthesize updated evidence on occupational exposure risks, regulatory frameworks, preventive strategies, and ongoing challenges among nurses, dental personnel, and health security workers.


Methods: A narrative updated review approach was used, analyzing regulatory guidelines, epidemiological data, and recent literature on occupational exposure, infection control practices, and preventive interventions in healthcare settings.


Results: Findings indicate that needlestick injuries and sharps-related incidents remain the primary route of exposure. HBV, HCV, and HIV continue to represent the most clinically significant pathogens. Despite vaccination programs, engineering controls, and training initiatives, compliance gaps, underreporting, inconsistent PPE use, and suboptimal adherence to standard precautions persist. Economic burden and psychological distress among exposed workers remain substantial.


Conclusion: Occupational exposure to bloodborne pathogens continues to pose a multidimensional challenge requiring strengthened compliance, improved training, and system-wide safety culture. Interprofessional collaboration and strict adherence to OSHA standards are essential for reducing risk.

Keywords

Bloodborne pathogens, occupational exposure, healthcare workers, OSHA, needlestick injuries, infection control, HBV, HCV, HIV.
Majmi, A. J. A., Khalil Mohammed Khalil Aldhuwaymir, Abdullah Ali Nasser Alshehri, Monirah Salem Alharbi, Hanan Faris Ahmed Muswadi, Basmah Abdulelah Abdullah Madkhali, … Afnan Obeid Saeed Alanzi. (2025). Occupational Exposure to Bloodborne Pathogens Among Nurses, Dental Staff, and Health Security Workers-An Updated Review. Saudi Journal of Medicine and Public Health, 2(2), 3717–3728. https://doi.org/10.64483/202522704
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