Thesis (MPhil)--Stellenbosch University, 2015. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The research focused on the knowledge of occupational safety by hospital managers towards HIV and other blood borne pathogens transmission in Abakaliki region in eastern Nigeria. These pathogens are easily transmissible by needle sticks and other occupational accidents. It is important to identify factors that pre-expose hospital cleaners to occupational risk exposure that can lead to the transmission of HIV, HBV and HCV. The research was conducted in 10 different hospitals. A total of 90 questionnaires were administered to the hospital cleaners that volunteered to participate in the research and 68 questionnaires were returned representing 75.6% of the total questionnaires. The mean age and standard deviation of the respondents in this study was 38.6 + or – 5.4 years. The researcher conducted a semi-structured interview with all the 10 hospital managers involved with the study and the interviews showed there was a need for an organised training on hospital work and occupational hazards, risk exposures and precautions. The questionnaires showed the knowledge of hospital cleaners on occupational safety and it was observed the majority of the hospital cleaners were not aware of post exposure prophylaxis for HIV. The workers relatively had good practices put in place to prevent HIV, HBV and HCV transmission but majority of them had not received HBV vaccine due to lack of awareness and availability. There was a significant positive correlation between the knowledge of the health workers and HIV transmission and the practice put in place by health workers to prevent HIV transmission (P<0.05). This implies as the knowledge of the health workers about HIV transmission increases, the practice put in place by health workers to prevent HIV transmission and Hepatitis B&C increases. Therefore there is need for continuous training on blood borne pathogens transmission such as HIV transmission in the hospitals and its routes of transmission. There is need for awareness creation for HBV vaccine and Post exposure prophylaxis for HIV exposure. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Nie beskikbaar / jfl201601