Accidental blood exposure (ABE) is major problem of occupational safety among health care workers. This work aimed to assess the gender differences among health care workers of a public hospital in the central region of Tunisia.

Methods An exhaustive retrospective study was conducted over a period of fourteen years, concerning ABE reported in the Department of Occupational Medicine of a public hospital in the central region of Tunisia (Mahdia). The data collected were related to socio-professional characteristics of victims, circumstances of the accident and immediate and follow-up care. Gender groups were compared.

Results A total of 650 ABE were reported during the study period. Victims were predominately female (sex ratio=0.47), mean aged 32.1±9.4 years and having a mean job tenure of 5.5±7.7 years. Paramedics represented 28.3%. AEB were caused by a needle stick in 82.6% of cases. Needle recapping was the direct cause in 10.6% of cases. Only 47.1% of caregivers were wearing gloves at the time of ABE. Women were more exposed to ABE with a higher risk of contamination, but with no statistically significant difference (p=0.33). Immediate care was in accordance with universal recommendations in 34.1% of cases and less adequate among women (p=0.05). The initial serology was prescribed in 82.6% of cases, that of the 3rd month in 5% of cases and that of the 6th month in 1.2% of cases. Women were less adherent to follow-up with a statistically significant difference at six months (p=0.016). Hepatitis B vaccination schedule was correctly followed in 79% of cases. Women were more adherent than men (p=0.029). Logistic regression analysis did not reveal gender as a predictor of vaccination status (p=0.211).

Conclusion The current study has revealed a high prevalence of ABE mainly among female health care workers with unsatisfactory management, including inadequate immediate care and incomplete post-accident follow-up.