Prevalence and Determinant Factors for Sharp Injuries among Addis Ababa Hospitals Health Professionals

Abstract

Background: Sharp piercing injuries to medical personnel are a piercing body trauma caused by sharp medical equipment used to screen, diagnose, treat or follow up patients’ conditions. More than 50 pathogens can be transmitted by sharp injury. There is no previous study conducted among Addis Ababa hospitals that has addressed the prevalence and associated risk factors for sharp injury. Objective: The objective of this study was to assess the prevalence and determinant factors for sharp injuries among health professionals working in Addis Ababa hospitals. Methodology: Cross sectional study was conducted in Addis Ababa from January to June 2012. A total of 645 study participants were obtained using 95 % confidence interval, 25.7% Proportion, margin of error 5%, design effect of 2 and non response rate of 10%. Using multi stage sampling techniques 11 hospitals and 645 health professionals were selected. The data was collected using self administered questionnaire. Pre-test was performed in Yekatit 12 hospital. Crude and adjusted odds ratios were used to identify the associated factor. Result: A total of 631 health professionals were included with a response rate of 97.83%. The mean age of the respondents was 29.85 years, 57.8% of the respondents were female. The prevalence of sharp injury was 66.6%. Sharp injury was associated with work load (AOR= 15.576, 95% CI: 7.795, 31.125), working in private hospitals (AOR= 3.033, 95%CI: 1.731, 5.314), disassembling of syringe and needle (AOR= 5.380, 95% CI: 2.684, 10.785), over use of injection (AOR= 5.654, 95% CI: 2.404, 13.298), Universal precaution (AOR= 0.382, 95% CI: 0.222, 0.659), injection safety training (AOR= 0.521, 95%CI: 0.320, 0.849), infection prevention training (AOR= 0.299, 95% CI: 0.177, 0.504), availability of safety box (AOR= 0.036, 95% CI: 0.013, 0.1). Conclusion: High prevalence of sharp injuries was observed. Sharp injuries were associated with workload, working in private hospitals, disassembling of syringe and needle, over use of injection, application of universal precautions, injection safety training and infection prevention training. A lot of health professionals are suffering from blood borne pathogens.