Recapping Of Needles Research Articles

Needle Stick Injury: A Study Among Interns and Post Graduate Scholars at a Tertiary Level Care Hospital

Introduction: Needle stick injury is an underestimated problem among health care personnel all over the world.More than 20 types of blood borne pathogens especially Hepatitis B virus, Hepatitis C virus and Human immune deficiency (HIV) virus can be transmitted through needle stick injuries. Aim of Study: The main aim of our study was to assess awareness regarding needle stick injuries with risk of serious infections and awareness regarding first aid and post exposure prophylaxis. Material & Methods: Data was collected in the form of pre-tested self-administered questionnaire. 100 students participated in the study. The response to questionnaire was analysed and results were obtained. Results: The incidence of needle stick injury among students was found to be 24%.47% of students were not aware of recommended first aid after needle or sharp injury.Regarding Hepatitis B vaccination, 65% were not vaccinated, only 35% were vaccinated. 94% of students had never received any training regarding sharps. Conclusion: This study showed a high rate of needle stick injuries among interns and post graduate students. Still the incidence is on lower side, owing to non-reporting of injuries. The strong predictor for needle stick injury was lack of training and work load. Recapping of needles was found to be the most common reason for needle stick injuries.

Occupational Exposure to Needle Stick and Sharp Injuries and Associated Factors among Health Care Workers in Awi Zone, Amhara Regional State, Northwest Ethiopia, 2016.

Background Needle stick and sharp injuries were one of the major risk factors for blood and body fluid borne infections at health care facilities. Objective To assess occupational exposure to needle stick and sharp injuries and associated factors among health care workers in Awi zone, 2016. Methods institutional based cross-sectional study was conducted among 193 health care workers. Study participants were selected using systematic random sampling technique. Result When queried, 18.7% of the respondents' encountered needle stick and sharp injury in the last 1 year. Participants who practiced needle recapping and had job related stress were 21.3 and 7.3 times more likely to face needle stick and sharp injury, respectively. However, those who apply universal precautions and acquire the required skill were 99% and 96% times less likely to face needle stick and sharp injury, respectively, than their counterparts. Conclusion and Recommendation The prevalence of needle stick and sharp injury was relatively low as compared to previous studies. Recapping of needle after use, job related stress, not applying universal precautions, and lack of the required skill were associated with needle stick and sharp injuries. Therefore, health care providers should apply universal precaution.

A Comparison between the New and the Conventional Method for Recapping of Needles in a Hospital Setting

<p><strong>INTRODUCTION:</strong> Needle stick injury is a common and serious event despite training and education and preventive strategies. The common form of the needle stick among health care workers can be occurred while recapping of needle and it is important because of the risk of transferring infectious strains. With aim of reducing the needle stick injury we compared the results of a new recapping method as high dropping cover to a needle and then try to fix it for frequency of needle stick injury and impending to injury among a sample of nurses.</p><p><strong>METHODS & MATERIAL:</strong> One hundred and fifty nurses from different hospital wards participated in the study. Both conventional method (holding syringe with needle attached in one hand, slip needle into the cap with using other hand) and the new method (high drop of cover over needle without slip with hand) were performed by<strong> </strong>each nurses (each one for 10 times) consecutively as rapidly possible under observation.</p><p><strong>RESULTS:</strong> In this study, most of the needle stick injury belonged to the conventional method compared to the new method (8.0% versus 2.9%). It was accompanied with the higher rates of impending to injury (29.3% versus 18.0%). The rate of impending to injury in the conventional method was as one time in 15.3%, two times in 10.0% and three times in 4.0%, while one, two, and three times of impending to injury occurred in 12.9%, 4.3%, and 0.7%, respectively in the new method.</p><p><strong>CONCLUSION:</strong> Described new method for recapping is superior to the conventional method leading lower needle stick injury and lower impending to injury. <strong></strong></p>

Acidentes de trabalho e sua prevenção na produção científica brasileira de enfermeiros: revisão integrativa

Objective: To identify the national scientific evidences of nurses related to work accidents and their prevention. Materials and Methods: Integrative review, in which the collection of articles was performed in MEDLINE, LILACS and BDENF, by crossing the descriptors occupational health, accident prevention, occupational risks, accidents, occupational, prevention & control and occupational health nursing. Articles published from 2005 to 2013, in English, Spanish and Portuguese, carried out in Brazil, which approached the issue related to health workers and presented at least one nurse author were included. Results: Twelve articles were selected, in which work accidents were classified as biological, physical, chemical and ergonomic, or accidents caused by biological material, typical and commuting. The inappropriate use of personal protective equipment, the lack of adaptation to professional practice, manual disconnection and recapping of needles were among the causes of accidents. In order to prevent them, hand hygiene, use of personal protective equipment, training and permanent education for employees must be adopted. Conclusion: There is need for innovative interventions of permanent health education that promotes the active participation of all actors involved and research to expand the development of actions aimed at accident prevention and health promotion of workers.

Awareness Towards Occupation Exposure Among Health Care Workers of a Tertiary Care Hospital: A KAP Survey

Background and Objectives: Health care workers are under constant exposure to the risk of ooccupational blood-borne infection, which most of the time can be avoided by observing standard precautions. The aim of this study was to assess the knowledge, attitude and practices of health care workers of a sample tertiary care hospital towards occupational exposure to blood-borne pathogens. Methods: A cross sectional study was carried out among health care workers of a 2500 bedded tertiary care hospital. The study instrument was structured and pretested questionnaire designed to measure the knowledge, attitude and practices of the participants towards occupational exposure. Findings: Among the 380 respondents 22.63% gave history of sustaining NSI in the preceding 1 year. The commonest clinical activity to cause NSI among doctors was blood sampling (37.5%) followed by re-capping of needles (31.3%). Although 70.5% of the participants were aware of the immediate step to be followed after NSI, only 47.36% gave partial correct answer to the questions regarding the number of diseases transmitted by NSI, and 44.2% had the correct knowledge about the Post Exposure Prophylaxis (PEP) facilities available in the hospital. Conclusions: The prevention of transmission of blood-borne pathogens among health care workers requires an education-centric approach and a comprehensive infection control protocol along with strict compliance with the practices within the health care delivery system.

Survey of occupational hazards in Minnesota veterinary practices in 2012

To identify the scope of occupational hazards encountered by veterinary personnel and compare hazard exposures between veterinarians and technicians working in small and large animal practices. Cross-sectional survey. Licensed veterinarians and veterinary staff in Minnesota. A survey of Minnesota veterinary personnel was conducted between February 1 and December 1, 2012. Adult veterinary personnel working in clinical practice for > 12 months were eligible to participate. Information was collected on various workplace hazards as well as on workplace safety culture. 831 eligible people responded, representing approximately 10% of Minnesota veterinary personnel. A greater proportion of veterinarians (93%; 368/394) reported having received preexposure rabies vaccinations than did veterinary technicians (54%; 198/365). During their career, 226 (27%) respondents had acquired at least 1 zoonotic infection and 636 (77%) had been injured by a needle or other sharps. Recapping of needles was reported by 87% of respondents; the most common reason reported by veterinarians (41%; 142/345) and veterinary technicians (71%; 238/333) was being trained to do so at school or work. Recent feelings of depression were reported by 204 (25%) respondents. A greater proportion of technicians (42%; 155/365) than veterinarians (21%; 81/394) indicated working in an environment in which employees experienced some form of workplace abuse. Veterinary personnel in Minnesota were exposed to several work-related hazards. Practice staff should assess workplace hazards, implement controls, and incorporate instruction on occupational health into employee training.

Occupational exposure, drug toxicities and adherence to HIV post exposure prophylaxis: a cohort study at the teaching hospital in Erode district, Tamilnadu, India

Background: Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection to healthcare personals follows occupational exposure follows accidental needle stick injuries can be minimized less than <1% with post-exposure prophylaxis with antiretroviral drugs in time. Retrospective review of records of occupational exposure to HIV, analyse post exposure prophylaxis drug side effects and adherence. Methods: On-going documentation of occupational exposures with known source of infection (HIV reactive) reported at IRT Perundurai Medical College Hospital, Erode district, Tamilnadu, India from January 2008 to March 2016 were reviewed. Results: A total of 14 cases (4 males and 10 females) occupational exposure to HIV infections were documented. 9 interns, 13 needle stick injuries, 7 needle recapping, 8 mild exposure, 10 washing with water or soap and water, 11 with less than one year of practical experience, 10 completed the follow up were the common subdivisions. ZL for 12 and TLE for 2 were prescribed. Nausea and vomiting were the commonest and bothersome side effect. One intern stopped PEP after 4 days because of extensive nausea, vomiting and fatigue but all others completed PEP. Conclusions: HCPs need to be given in-service training and mentoring regarding universal work precautions, management of occupational exposure, PEP, adverse events and management, and continued active follow‑up to ensure the adherence by mobile and social media. This is very helpful in curtailing the risk of occupational HIV sero-conversion.

Effect of Education Intervention on Prevention of Bloodborne Infections for Health Care Workers in Family Medicine Centers , Suez Canal University in Ismailia City , Egypt

Introduction: Healthcare workers (HCWs) are at particular risk for occupational exposure to bloodborne pathogens, including hepatitis B virus (HBV), hepatitis C virus (HCV) and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). Objective: to assess the effect of education intervention on knowledge, attitude and practice of (compliance with) preventive measures of bloodborne infections (BBIs) by health care workers. Methods: The study was a pre-post quasi- experimental intervention. It was conducted between June and October 2015 in 3 family medicine centers with affliation to Suez Canal University in Ismailia city. Sample was convenient; it included all 82 healthcare workers (family physicians, laboratory technicians, nurses and janitors). Knowledge and attitude were evaluated by a questionnaire. Practice was assessed by observation. Educational training intervention was designed and conducted by the researchers about the common BBIs and standard precautions (SPs) based on guidelines. Results: Statistically significant difference was found between pre and post intervention in means of knowledge, attitude, practice and overall KAP scores of all HCWs (P < 0.001) with large effect size Cohen's d more than .8. The highest median scores of all SPs in pre intervention were for no needle recapping (Mdn=100) with significant difference between pre and post intervention (P <0.001). Conclusions: Continuous periodic education on standard precautions is recommended to cover areas for improvements in knowledge such as alcohol rubbing, that is not the required action on exposure to body fluids and the recommended time of hand washing (40-60 seconds); attitude towards revising guidelines and ensuring availability of infection control supplies; and ensure compliance with hand hygiene, sharps handling, decontamination of spills and wearing gowns.

Attitudes and practices of nursing students confronted with blood exposure accidents in Abidjan

Background: Blood Exposure Accidents (BEAs) are frequent in healthcare settings and may cause such severe consequences as HIV and Hepatitis B and C infections. The objective of the study was to determine the attitudes and practices of nursing students facing BEAs.Materials and Methods: This was a cross-sectional prospective study conducted from August 16 to 23, 2011 at the “Institut National de Formation des Agents de la Santé d’Abidjan” (the National Institute in charge of training Health Workers). Data were collected by means of self-administered questionnaires.Results: Out of 266 student nurses included in the study, 73.3% were females while 26.7% were males. Their mean age was 29 years [20 years - 37 years]. A previous training was conducted on BEAs for 67.3% of nursing students. Those students who were immunized against hepatitis B were 75.2%. Needle recapping was practiced by 43.6% of nursing students. Unclean needles were eliminated in containers by 96.2% of the students and waste containers were within close reach of only 65.4%. Glove wearing was systematic in 77.1% of the students. Before the survey 38% of nursing students had been victim of BEAs at least once. Those BEAs were not reported in 68.3% of the victims.Conclusion: The attitudes and practices of nursing students are inadequate with regards to BEAs. A module on Hospital Hygiene is necessary in view of improving the training of nursing students.Key words: Attitudes - BEAs - Knowledge - Nursing students - Practices

Factors Associated with Occupational Needle Stick and Sharps Injuries among Hospital Healthcare Workers in Bale Zone, Southeast Ethiopia

BackgroundNeedle stick and sharps injuries are occupational hazards to healthcare workers. Every day healthcare workers are exposed to deadly blood borne pathogens through contaminated needles and other sharp objects. About twenty blood borne pathogens can be transmitted through accidental needle stick and sharp injury. The study was conducted to determine the lifetime and past one year prevalence of needle stick and sharps injuries and factors associated with the past one year injuries among hospital healthcare workers in Southeast Ethiopia.MethodsAn institutional based cross sectional study was conducted in December 2014 among healthcare workers in four hospitals of Bale zone, Southeast of Ethiopia. A total of 362 healthcare workers were selected randomly from each department in the hospitals. Data were collected using self-administered questionnaire. The collected data were entered into Epi-Info version 3.5 and analyzed using SPSS version 20.0. Multivariable logistic regression analysis was used to identify the independent effect of each independent variable on the outcome variable. Written informed consent was secured from the participants.ResultsThe prevalence of lifetime needle stick and sharp injury was 37.1% with 95% CI of 32.0% to 42.5%. The prevalence of injury within the past one year was 19.1% with 95% CI of 14.9% to 23.3%. Emergency ward was a department with highest needle stick and sharp injury (31.7%). The main cause of injury was syringe needles (69.8%). Participants who practiced needle recapping had higher odds of needle stick and sharp injury within the past 12 months (AOR = 3.23, 95% CI: 1.78, 5.84) compared to their counterparts.ConclusionsNearly one out of five respondents had experienced needle stick and/or sharp injury at least once within past one year. There were practices and behaviors that put healthcare workers at risk of needle stick and sharp injury at the study area. Needle recapping was key modifiable risk behavior. Health policy makers and hospital administrators should formulate strategies to improve the working condition for healthcare workers and increase their adherence to universal precautions.

ATTITUDES AND PRACTICES OF NURSING STUDENTS CONFRONTED WITH BLOOD EXPOSURE ACCIDENTS IN ABIDJAN

Background: Blood Exposure Accidents (BEAs) are frequent in healthcare settings and may cause such severe consequences as HIV and Hepatitis B and C infections. Objective: to determine the attitudes and practices of nursing students facing BEAs. Materials and Methods: this was a cross-sectional prospective study conducted from August 16 to 23, 2011 at the “Institut National de Formation des Agents de la Sante d’Abidjan” (the National Institute in charge of training Health Workers). Data were collected by means of self-administered questionnaires. Results: out of 266 student nurses included in the study, 73.3% were females while 26.7% were males. Their mean age was 29 years [20 years - 37 years]. A previous training was conducted on BEAs for 67.3% of nursing students. Those students who were immunized against hepatitis B were 75.2%. Needle recapping was practiced by 43.6% of nursing students. Unclean needles were eliminated in containers by 96.2% of the students and waste containers were within close reach of only 65.4%. Glove wearing was systematic in 77.1% of the students. Before the survey 38% of nursing students had been victim of BEAs at least once. Those BEAs were not reported in 68.3% of the victims. Conclusion: the attitudes and practices of nursing students are inadequate with regards to BEAs. A module on Hospital Hygiene is necessary in view of improving the training of nursing students.

Manual accidents, biological risk control, and quality indicators at a children's hospital in north-east Italy.

BackgroundWorking in health care carries the risk of transmission of infected blood to patients by hospital workers and to other health personnel in the form of occupational infections. Conscientious application of the standard precautions is the main method used to avoid needle stick injuries, contamination of skin and mucous membranes, cuts with sharp tools, and inadequate disposal and recapping of needles. The aim of this work was to investigate in Friuli Venezia Giulia, a region in north-east Italy, the enhancement carried out to prevent situations of biologic risk for health care workers, and to verify the related laboratory analyses.MethodsBiological accidents occurring during the years 2012–2013 in the departments of oncology and pediatric-obstetric surgery, and in the intensive care unit at Burlo Garofolo Children’s Hospital in Trieste (a large town in Friuli Venezia Giulia) were reviewed, and a new panel of tests was introduced for patients and health care workers, to also detect human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), hepatitis C virus (HCV), hepatitis B virus (HBV), and aspartate transaminase and immunoglobulin G. All tests were submitted for external quality assessment.ResultsIn total, 230 nosocomial events were reported by health care workers in the above-mentioned hospital departments in 2012–2013. There were 158 accidents in 2012, including 55 accidental needle stick injuries (34.81%), 59 blood splashes (37.34%), and 44 cuts with infected instruments (27.84%). The risk of sustaining a cut was related to movement error during surgery when the appropriate procedure was not followed or when devices were being assembled and passed between doctors and nurses. Most accidents happened among physicians compared to nurses; the high percentage of needle stick injuries (34.81%) versus nurses (25.94%) were due to incorrect recapping of needles after use. No cases of health care workers being infected with HCV, HBV, or HIV were identified. In 2013, the number of biological accidents decreased to 61, comprising two needle stick injuries (3.27%), 35 blood splashes (57.37%), and 25 cuts with contaminated instruments (40.98%). The number of subcutaneous abscesses with scarring resulting from cuts with sharp instruments decreased from three in 2012 (one of which was the subject of medicolegal proceedings) to none in 2013. Although our study population was relatively small, we did detect a statistically significant decrease in the number of needle stick injuries (P<0.05, χ2 test).ConclusionIn this early experience at a maternal and child health institution in the Friuli Venezia Giulia region, application of a safety protocol, centralized organization of HIV tests, improved external quality assessment, and introduction of internal quality control for immunoglobulin G contributed to a decrease in the number of work-related biological accidents and their complications, which have the potential to result in medicolegal problems.

Risk factors of needle stick and sharp injuries among health care workers

Background and Purpose: Needle stick injuries (NSIs) remains a significant risk of occupational transmission of Bloodborne pathogens in health care workers (HCWs). This study aimed to determine the “Risk Factors of Needlestick and Sharps Injuries among Healthcare Workers in Naft hospital, Mahshahr”. Methods: A descriptive-cross sectional study carried out on 135 HCWs in Naft hospital in Mahshar, in 2011-12. Data were collected by a self-administered questionnaire. The first part included questions about demographic characteristics. The second part of the questionnaire consisted of 11 items related to the sharp instrument injuries. After confirming content and face validity, reliability of the questionnaire was determined to be 0.88, using Cronbach's alpha test. Data analysis, including descriptive and analytical statistics was performed using SPSS Ver. 16. A P≤ 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: The mean age of the participants was 33.83 +/- 6.22. (24-50) years old and 69.3% were females. The incidence rate of NSI was 64.1%. Recapping of needles (25.8%) and IV access (19.7%) were the most common actions resulted to exposure. Exposed people believed that the most important reason for NSIs was patients unpercaution (38.5%), and crowdedness (33.8%).The most injuries were occurred in the emergency department(21%) and Internal ward(16.1%). 80.8% of nurses had been vaccinated against hepatitis B virus. There weren't statistically significant differences in demographic variables with NSIs. Conclusion: The present study showed a high occurrence of NSI among HCWs in this Mahshar hospital. Training in handling and disposal of sharps, preventing and reporting strategies are needed to increase safety practices for HCWs.

Injection safety knowledge and practices among clinical health care workers in Garissa provincial general hospital

Background : The World Health Organization estimates that approximately 16 billion injections are administered in developing countries annually. Injection safety is therefore critical in preventing occupational exposure and infection from blood borne pathogens, hence prevention is a vital part of any comprehensive plan for protecting health workers, patients and maintaining a safe environment. Objective : To determine the knowledge and practice of injection safety among clinical healthcare workers at the Garissa Provincial General Hospital. Design : A cross-sectional descriptive study. Setting : The Garissa provincial General Hospital from September 2011 to July 2012. Results : Injection safety knowledge was high with a score of 12.65 (SD ± 2.3) out of the total of 16 items. Appropriate injection safety practices were reported by most of the respondents. The level of knowledge was not significantly associated with respondents’ demographic characteristics(p>0.05), but was significantly associated with hand washing practice(p<0.05).Inferences were made on an appropriate injection safety practices like non-recapping of needles, hand washing and proper waste management. Drug administration practice varied in the different departments (p=0.043) and recapping of needles was significantly associated with training (p=0.047), designation (p=0.02) and area of deployment (p=0.017). Conclusion : Knowledge on injection safety was high but reported and observed practices were below the set standard. Risky practices such as recapping used syringes, re-use of disposable syringes and overfilling of sharp boxes were observed. There was insufficient provision of injection safety equipment, Poor waste handling and inadequate personal protective gear. Over prescription of unnecessary injections was widespread.

Prevalence of Needlestick Injuries Among Healthcare Workers in the Accident and Emergency Department of a Teaching Hospital in Nigeria.

Background:Healthcare workers (HCWs) are continually exposed to hazards from contact with blood and body fluids of patients in the healthcare setting.Aim:To determine the prevalence of needlestick injuries (NSIs) and associated factors among HCWs in the Accident and Emergency Department of the University of Benin Teaching Hospital (UBTH), Benin City, Nigeria.Subjects and Methods:This was a cross-sectional study. Data were collected using a structured, self-administered questionnaire and analyzed using IBM SPSS version 20. Univariate, bivariate, and binary logistic regression analyses were done. The level of significance was set at P < 0.05.Results:The prevalence of NSIs 12 months preceding the study was 51.0% (50/98). Doctors 8/10 (80.0%) and nurses 28/40 (70.0%) had the highest occurrence. Recapping of needles 19/50 (38.0%) and patient aggression 13/50 (26.0%) were responsible for most injuries. The majority 31/50 (62.0%) of the injuries were not reported. The uptake of postexposure prophylaxis (PEP) was low 11/50 (22.0%). The factors that were significantly associated with NSI include age 30 years and above (odds ratio [OR] =0.28, confidence interval [CI] = 0.11–0.70), work duration of three years and above (OR = 0.29, CI = 0.11–0.75), and being a nurse (OR = 3.38, CI = 1.49–9.93) or a paramedic (OR = 0.18, CI = 0.06–0.52).Conclusion:The high prevalence of NSIs among the HCWs, especially in doctors and nurses is an indication that HCWs in UBTH are at great risk of contracting blood-borne infections. Efforts should be made to ensure that injuries are reported and appropriate PEP undertaken following NSIs.

Knowledge, Awareness and Practice Regarding Needle Stick Injuries in Dental Profession in India.

DEAR EDITOR, Needle stick injuries (NSIs) has always been one of the most important risk factor for health care workers (HCWs) for transmission of various infections such as hepatitis B, hepatitis C, and human immunodeficiency virus.[1] Variety of procedures like needle recapping, injuries sustained in the operating room, blood collection or intravenous line administration, suturing, checking blood sugar etc., can lead to accidental NSIs [Table 1].[2,3] Although modern dentistry has been cited as the least hazardous of the all the occupations, risks like NSI still challenge the status of this occupation.[4] Compared with many other health care settings, dental professionals are at higher risk of acquiring infections due to the fact that dentists work in a limited-access and restricted-visibility field and frequently use sharp devices.[5] Table 1 Various determinants of NSIs Every year about 16 billion injections are administered in developing and transitional nations and approximately three million individuals are injured annually due to needle stick and sharp injuries.[6] These types of blood-borne exposures can be career and life-ending. There is gross under reporting of NSI and therefore the incidence of NSI is higher than the current estimates.[7] In developing countries such as Ghana, Indonesia and Uganda, 80–90% of patients who visited a health center received one or more injections per visit.[8] Another study reported a high incidence of needle stick and sharp injuries among HCWs in Jordan.[9] In a country like India, in spite of large number of awareness programs, it is not possible to estimate the annual incidence of NSI in different occupations because of scarcity of data.[1] Very few studies that have been conducted among dental HCWs reporting their knowledge, awareness and practice regarding NSI. Findings of a study conducted on dental students reported that on an average 89.23% of the students had correct knowledge about NSI and 89% of them were aware of taking postexposure prophylaxis (PEP) after an accidental NSI.[10] According to some other study reports, 11% of the students were not aware that the virus could be transmitted through infected needles and found that 44% of the students would destroy the needle using needle destroyer and 15% would destroy in puncture-resistant container with disinfectant.[11] Only 39.8% of the health care students could correctly define sharp instrument injury in some other study reports and 75.4% of the students experienced sharp instrument injuries during the last 1-year and 52.3% of the sharp instrument injuries occurred during administration of local anesthetic injection.[12] Reports of another study revealed that 88% of the dental students were aware of the occupational blood-borne diseases, and 75% of them reported exposures majority of who were postgraduate students.[13] It can be concluded that knowledge, awareness and practices of the dental students in among different studies is adequate though there is considerable variation in practice and management of NSI. Not every NSI can be preventable, but according to research 83% of injuries from hollow-bore needles can be prevented.[14] The present article also concludes that for prevention of NSI, knowledge and awareness amongst dental HCWs should be increased. More studies should be conducted involving dentists and other dental professionals as there is scarcity of literature on knowledge and awareness levels of dentists in India. Various health and safety measures can be adopted to decrease the incidence of NSI. Workers should be properly trained Personal protective equipment and clothing should be provided An effective occupational health and safety program should be established that includes immunization, PEP, medical and dental surveillance.

Occupational Injuries Prone to Infectious Risks amongst Healthcare Personnel in Kuwait: A Retrospective Study

Objective: The study aimed at determining the prevalence of incident occupational exposure to blood and other potentially infectious materials (OPIM) among healthcare personnel (HCP) during 2010 and at evaluating the factors associated with these incidents. Subjects and Methods: An epidemiological, retrospective, record-based study was conducted. All self-reported incidents of occupational exposure to blood and OPIM among HCP from all healthcare settings of the Kuwait Ministry of Health during 2010 were included. Results: The total number of the exposed HCP was 249. The prevalence of incident exposure was 0.7% of the HCP at risk. Their mean age was 32.31 ± 6.98 years. The majority were nurses: 166 (66.7%), followed by doctors: 35 (14.1%), technicians: 26 (10.4%) and housekeeping personnel: 22 (8.8%). Needle stick injury was the most common type of exposure, in 189 (75.9%), followed by sharp-object injury, mucous-membrane exposure and contact with nonintact skin. The majority of needle stick exposures, i.e. 177 (93.7%), were caused by hollow-bore needles. Exposure to blood represented 96.8%, mostly during drawing blood and the insertion or removal of needles from patients [88 (35.4%)] and when performing surgical interventions [56 (22.6%)]. Easily preventable exposures such as injuries related to 2-handed recapping of needles [24 (9.6%)] and garbage collection [21 (8.4%)] were reported. Exposures mainly occurred in the inpatient wards [75 (30.1%)] and operating theaters [56 (22.6%)]. Among the exposed HCP, 130 (52.2%) had been fully vaccinated against hepatitis B virus (HBV). Conclusion: Needle stick injuries are the most common exposure among HCP in Kuwait, and nurses are the most frequently involved HCP category. A good proportion of exposures could be easily prevented. HBV vaccination coverage is incomplete.

Epidemiology of sharp instruments injuries at a dental school in Sudan

Dental practice represents an occupational hazard for injuries and transmission of serious infections and dental students are generally considered at a higher risk because they undertake exposure prone techniques during their training years. No published literature is available on sharp injuries among dentists in Sudan. The aim of this survey was to describe the epidemiology of sharp instruments injuries in dental students at a dental school in Sudan. An anonymous self-administered questionnaire was used to collect data on prevalence, protective strategies, hepatitis B immunization, health status following injuries and post-exposure prophylaxis. The response rate was 100% and females constituted 89.1% (41) of the sample. Thirty-two (69.6%) students reported being exposed to a sharp instruments injury and most injuries (22, 68.8%) occurred in the conservative dentistry department. The main tools causing injury are the syringe needle (16, 50%) and endodontic file (16, 50%). Endodontic treatment was the principle procedure causing injury (15, 46.9%). Twenty-five (78.1%) of students did not report their injury. None have tested for a blood borne virus after injury. Anxiety and stress was reported by 19 (59.4%) students. Thirty-five (76.1%) students were fully vaccinated against hepatitis B. Seven (15.2%) were aware of full details on standard precautions. Forty-two (91.3%) students practiced needle re-capping. The findings of this survey indicate the need for efficient training of dental students that encourages prevention of sharp injuries; compliance with standard precautions; preclinical HBV testing, immunization and efficacy testing; reporting of injuries and follow-up with provision of PEP.

Occupational Exposure to Blood and Body Fluids among Health-Care Workers in Serbia

Objectives: The aim of this study was to examine the epidemiology of occupational accidents and self-reported attitude of health-care workers (HCWs) in Serbia. Subjects and Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among HCWs in selected departments of five tertiary care hospitals and in one secondary care hospital in February 2012. A previously developed self-administered questionnaire was provided to HCWs who had direct daily contact with patients. χ² test and Student's t test were used for statistical analysis of the data. Results: Of the 1,441 potential participants, 983 (68.2%) completed the questionnaire: 655 (66.7%) were nurses/medical technicians, 243 (24.7%) were physicians and 85 (8.6%) were other personnel. Of the 983 participants, 291 (29.6%) HCWs had had at least one accident during the previous year and 106 (40.2%) of them reported it to the responsible person. The highest prevalence (68.6%) of accidents was among nurses/technicians (p = 0.001). Accidents occurred more often in large clinical centers (81.1%; p < 0.001) and in the clinical ward, intensive care unit and operating theater (p = 0.003) than in other departments. Seventy-six (13.1%) nurses/medical technicians had an accident during needle recapping (p < 0.001). Of all the HCWs, 550 (55.9%) were fully vaccinated, including significantly more doctors (154, 63.4%) than participants from other job categories (p < 0.001). Conclusion: There was a relatively high rate of accidents among HCWs in our hospitals, most commonly amongst nurses and staff working in clinical wards, intensive care units and operating theaters. The most common types of accidents were needlestick injuries and accidents due to improper handling of contaminated sharp devices or occuring while cleaning instruments or by coming into contact with blood through damaged skin or through the conjunctiva/mucous membranes.

Predictors of occupational exposure to HIV infection among healthcare workers in southern Ethiopia

Abstract Occupational risk of HIV transmission is a major concern for healthcare workers worldwide. However, there is a paucity of studies clarifying the situation in most of Subsaharan African countries like Ethiopia. The objectives of this study were to determine the prevalence of occupational exposure to HIV infection, and to identify the associated factors among healthcare workers at government health institutions in Hawassa Town, southern Ethiopia. An institution-based cross-sectional study was conducted at two hospitals and six health centers run by Government in Hawassa Town, southern Ethiopia from June to September 2013. A total of 532 healthcare workers involved in the study. Data were collected by using a pre-tested and structured interview questionnaire. Data were analyzed using SPSS for windows version 16.0. Multivariable analyses were employed to see the effect of explanatory variables on dependent variable. A total of 276(51.9%) healthcare workers experienced occupational exposure to HIV infection within the last one year. Recapping of needles [AOR: 3.1, 95%CI: (2.1, 4.6)], lack of training on infection prevention and patient safety [AOR: 3.3, 95%CI: (1.6, 5.8)], and night workshift [AOR: 3.4, 95%CI: (1.1, 6.9)] were found to be the independent predictors of occupational exposure to HIV infection. This study revealed that the prevalence of occupational exposure to HIV infection among HCWs in government health institutions was high. So, effective HIV prevention measures should target on areas, such as proper design and use of needles, provision of adequate training on infection prevention and patient safety, and monitoring of shiftwork schedules. Keywords: Healthcare workers, HIV infection, Occupational exposure.