Prevalence and Perception of Needle Stick Injury Among Health Care Professionals at a Tertiary Care Hospital, Karachi, Pakistan

Abstract

<h3>Background</h3> Introduction: Needle stick injury is a percutaneous injury occurs through sharp objects among health care professionals. Sharp injury can happen due to mishandling, recapping, passing of sharps or leaving the sharps on surfaces. World Health Organization reported an average of 4 Needle stick injury /year/ health care professionals. Our study objective is to find the knowledge, prevalence of needle stick injury and current status of hepatitis B vaccination among health care professionals. <h3>Methods</h3> Methods: A cross sectional survey conducted through questionnaire among health care professionals. Data collection was done between December 2018 and January 2019. Data analysis was done using Statistical Package for Social Sciences version 20. <h3>Results</h3> Results: A total of 300 participants were surveyed and majority was females. There were 33.7 % doctors, 30.6% nurses and 35.7% technicians. Around 49.7% experienced needle stick injuries in the last one year. Out of whom 7.4% got needle stick injuries 3 times and 1.3% got 4 times and 14.8% got multiple times. Around 66.4% needle stick injury was unreported. Needle stick injury were considered harmful by 97.7%. A total of 99.4% believe that hepatitis B virus, Hepatitis C Virus and Human Immunodeficiency Virus can be transmitted by needle stick injury. Mostly the cause of needle stick injury was rush hours 47%. Around 72.5% needle stick injury were percutaneous and gloves were used by 98.3%. Only 8.1% washed their hands with soap and water after needle stick injury. Around 74.3% health care professionals received health safety training. Hepatitis B virus vaccine series was completed in 74%, however, only 23.7 % know about their antibodies titers. <h3>Conclusions</h3> Conclusion: Needle stick injury has high prevalence in our setting. The reporting system, improvement in vaccination status, regular educational sessions with emphasis on standard precautions can decrease needle stick injury rates in our hospital.