Abstract
BackgroundAccidental percutaneous injury and acquiring blood-borne diseases are common problems among health care workers (HCWs). However, little is known about the prevalence and associated factors for needle stick injury among HCWs in Ethiopia.MethodsA cross sectional study was conducted by including 526 HCWs (physicians, nurses, laboratory technicians, midwives and others), working in two public hospitals (Hawassa Referral and Adare District hospitals), from January 1–30, 2014. Binary logistic regression was done to assess the association of selected independent variables with accidental percutaneous injury.ResultsThe prevalence of at least one episode of percutaneous injury was about 46 % of which more than half (28 %) occurred within one year prior to the study period and only 24 % took prophylaxis for human immune deficiency virus (HIV) infection. The adjusted logistic regression analysis revealed that HCWs who recap needles were twice as likely to face a percutaneous injury. Chance of exposure to needle stick or sharp injuries also increased with increase in educational status. Having a previous history of needle stick or sharp injury was found as one of the risk factors for the occurrence of another injury. Nurses and cleaners were also at increased risk for the occurrence of percutaneous injuries.ConclusionNeedle stick and sharp injuries were common among HCWs in the study hospitals, which warrants training on preventive methods.
Highlights
Accidental percutaneous injury and acquiring blood-borne diseases are common problems among health care workers (HCWs)
HCWs exposed to bloodborne pathogens was 2.6 % for hepatitis C virus (HCV), 5.9 % for hepatitis B virus (HBV) and 0.5 % for human immune deficiency virus (HIV), worldwide among which the majority was from developing regions (i.e. 40-65 % of HBV and HCV infections in HCWs were attributable to percutaneous occupational exposure) [4, 5]
One study indicated that 16.000 HCV, 66,000 HBV and 1,000 HIV infections may occurred in the year 2000 worldwide among HCWs due to their occupational exposure to percutaneous injuries [6]
Summary
Accidental percutaneous injury and acquiring blood-borne diseases are common problems among health care workers (HCWs). Health care workers (HCWs) are at increased risk of accidental injury and acquiring infections including hepatitis virus and human immune deficiency virus (HIV) infection [1]. They are at increased risk of acquiring infection because of direct exposure to patients’ blood and other body fluids [2, 3]. One study indicated that 16.000 HCV, 66,000 HBV and 1,000 HIV infections may occurred in the year 2000 worldwide among HCWs due to their occupational exposure to percutaneous injuries [6]. Recognizing this threat, a series of procedures (standard precaution methods) are proposed to prevent occupational exposures and handle potentially infectious materials.
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