The Association Between Workload and Needlestick Injuries Among the Nurses in the Hospitals Affiliated with Ahvaz University of Medical Sciences

Abstract

Background: This study investigated the workload and its effects on the prevalence of needlestick injuries (NSIs) among the nurses in the hospitals affiliated with Ahvaz University of Medical Sciences (AUMS). Methods: In this cross-sectional study, 416 registered nurses working in different wards of the hospitals affiliated with Ahvaz University of Medical Sciences (AUMS) were randomly selected. Data collection instruments were a demographic questionnaire and NASA-TLX workload questionnaire. Results: The prevalence of NSIs in the total work experience and the last year were 72% and 50%, respectively. The mean total score of NASA-TLX calculated to the extent of 78.27 ± 12.2. The regression modeling demonstrated that NSIs significantly correlated with patients treated/d (OR: 1.136, CI: 1.02 - 1.27, P value: 0.002), Timing of injury (OR: 2.13, CI: 1.20 - 3.79, P value: 0.010), and the third dimensions of NASA-TLX index (time pressure) (OR: 1.031, CI: 1.02- 1.05, P value: < 0.001). Conclusions: The study showed a high prevalence of NSIs among nurses. Corrective measures such as planning training programs targeting at using personal protective equipment (PPE), modification of work schedule by limiting working hours and the number of shifts per month, and providing sufficient human resources are essential for the effective prevention of NSI incidents among the studied nurses.