Prevalence Of Needlestick Research Articles

Prevalence of needle stick and sharps injuries and associated factors among nursing students in Gauteng province, South Africa

Prevalence of needle stick and sharps injuries and associated factors among nursing students in Gauteng province, South Africa

Prevalence and associated factors of needle stick and sharp injuries among nurses: A cross-sectional study.

Workplace safety is essential to occupational health practices among healthcare providers, especially for nurses vulnerable to work-related hazards such as needle stick and sharp injuries. In Yemen, the underestimation and absence of reporting system and lack of health supplies in a collapsed health system exacerbated the needle stick and sharp injuries. This study aimed to identify the prevalence and associated factors of needle stick and sharp injuries among nurses in Taiz, Yemen. A cross-sectional study was conducted on a sample of 151 nurses working in three public hospitals in Taiz City. A semi-structured questionnaire was designed and delivered to the participants. The prevalence of needle stick and sharp injuries among nurses was very high (95.36%), and around half were injured more than five times. Female nurses and those in an emergency department were more likely to be subjected to needle stick and sharp injuries (p = 0.018 and 0.021, respectively). Needle stick was the most common cause of injury (62.77%), and the fingers were the most exposed injury site (79.17%). Non-reporting injuries were very high (73.61%), and only one-third (34.21%) of them proceeded in the process of management, and less than one-quarter (23.68%) had been vaccinated. The prevalence of needle stick and sharp injuries among nurses in Taiz was very high, and determined by gender and place of work. Post-injury reporting and precautions were poor, which may increase the prevalence of hospital-acquired infections among clients and healthcare providers.

Prevalence and Risk Factors of Needlesticks and Sharp Injuries Among Healthcare Workers of Hospital in Bule Hora, West Guji Zone, Ethiopia.

Healthcare workers face a significant risk of sharp and needle-stick injuries, which can increase the likelihood of spreading illnesses like hepatitis B, hepatitis C, and HIV. Currently, there is no available information on the prevalence or contributing factors of needle sticks and sharp injuries (NSSI) in hospitals in southern Ethiopia. This study aimed to assess the needle sticks and sharp injuries among health care workers at the BHUTH, Southern Ethiopia. The study was a cross-sectional study conducted at an institution in October 2023, with 164 randomly selected participants. A self-administered questionnaire was used to gather information on sociodemographic factors and exposure status. The data was entered and analyzed using Epi-Data and SPSS. The risk factors were identified by binary and multivariate logistic regression analyses. A P-value less than .05 was considered statistical significance. The overall prevalence of at least one Needle sticks and sharp injuries in the last 12 months was 46.4% (95% CI of 39.3% to 53.6%). The majority of injuries 45.8% were due to the syringe needle. Factors such as needle recap (AOR = 3.73, 95% CI: 1.07-12.19), Recapping with two hands (AOR = 2.78, 95% CI: 1.36-10.02), working 40 hours per week (AOR = 2.18, 95% CI: 0.98-6.86), and lack of training in occupational safety practices (AOR = 4.01, 95% CI: 2.60-9.91), were factors significantly associated with the prevalence of needle stick and sharp injuries. This study found that nearly half of the respondents experienced a sharp needle poke and injury at least once in the previous year; however, the volume of NSSI remains high in the study area. Healthcare workers should receive on-the-job training, and hospital executives should set aside time for discussions on how to solve the problem.

Prevalence of needle stick and its related factors in Iranian health worker: an updated systematic review and meta-analysis.

Healthcare workers (HCWs) are at risk of acquiring blood-borne infections such as hepatitis B, hepatitis C, and human immunodeficiency virus through needlestick injuries (NSIs). We aimed to investigate the prevalence of needlestick injuries and other related indicators among HCWs in Iran through a systematic review and meta-analysis. We searched various databases until the end of May 2023 for studies reporting the prevalence of NSIs among healthcare workers in Iran. We used a random model with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) to analyse the data and the Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) tool to evaluate the quality of included studies. We conducted and reported the study according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) statement. We included 87 studies in the analysis and found that 47% (95% CI = 42-52, I2 = 98.9%) of Iranian HCWs experienced NSI. NSIs were most frequently related to syringe needles (58%; 95% CI = 52-65, I2 = 96.8%) and most often caused by recapping (30%; 95% CI = 22-38, I2 = 98.5%). In this study, 56% (95% CI = 45-67, I2 = 98.6%) of HCWs with NSIs did not report their injury. Moreover, the prevalence of NSIs the highest in the morning shift (0.44; 95% CI = 0.36-0.53, I2 = 97.2%), emergency unit (0.20; 95% CI = 0.16-0.24, I2 = 93.7%), and intensive care unit (0.20; 95% CI = 0.16-0.24, I2 = 94.3%). To reduce the high prevalence of NSIs, HCWs, especially those in emergency departments, should use safety equipment. Healthcare managers should provide a calm and stress-free environment for HCWs, educate them on safety principles and standards, and support experienced HCWs with NSIs.

Safety and Health Management System, Safety Climate, and Accident Occurrences in Hospitals: The Study of Needlestick, Sharp Injuries and Recidivism Rates.

Hospital Safety and Health Management System (HSH-MS) and Hospital Safety Climate (HSC) are the significant elements to develop safe work practices. The current study aimed to examine the dimensions of HSH-MS and HSC and the association with the prevalence of Needlestick and Sharp Injury (NSI) and NSI recidivism. A cross-sectional study was conducted among 1070 nurses in Iranian hospitals (89% response rate). More than 54% (n = 579) had sustained at least 1 NSI in the previous year. The NSI recidivism rate was 8.6% and recidivists were more likely to be younger, female, married, with higher Body Mass Index (BMI), and on night shift. Two aspects of HSH-MS including management leadership and employee participation were associated with the incidence of NSIs Odds Ratio (OR): 1.91 and 95% Confidence Interval (CI): 0.69-1.21; OR: 1.29 and 95% CI: 0.92-1.82) and NSI recidivism rate (OR: 1.98 and 95% CI: 0.55-1.74; OR: 1.12 and 95% CI: 0.83-1.49). Furthermore, three dimensions of HSC comprising management support (OR: 1.02 and 95% CI: 0.93-1.11 for NSIs; OR: 1.21 and 95% CI: 0.77-1.22 for NSI recidivism), absence of job hindrances (OR: 1.06 and 95% CI: 0.98-1.16 for NSIs; OR: 1.11 and 95% CI: 0.96-1.30 for NSI recidivism) and cleanliness/orderliness (OR: 1.07 and 95% CI: 0.98-1.08 for NSIs; OR: 0.84 and 95% CI: 0.87-0.97 for NSI recidivism) were correlated with reduced NSIs risk. This study suggests that HSH-MSs and employees' safety climate are significant factors, which are correlated with not only the prevalence of recurrent NSIs but also the single NSI in hospitals.

Prevalence of Needle Stick and Sharps Injury and Hepatitis B Vaccination among Healthcare Workers in a South-East Nigerian Tertiary Hospital

Background: Daily, HCWs are exposed to needle stick and sharps injury (NSSI) and associated risk of life-threatening infections.
 Aim: A cross-sectional study was conducted to determine the prevalence of NSSI and HBV vaccination among 341 HCWs at NAUTH, Nnewi.
 Methods: Data was collected using a self-administered. questionnaire and interview of key staff.
 Results: The mean age of participants was 33.4±11.9 years while male: female ratio was 1:1.7. Prevalence of NSSI in the preceding 12 months was 25.5% with doctors (43.0% [34/79]), laboratory scientists (27.5%[14/51]) and nurses (21.8%[17/78]) leading (p=0.014). Noncompliance with standard precaution (SP) and non-display of relevant SP SOPs in prominent places were significantly associated with NSSI (p=0.001). Among those exposed to NSSI, only 33.7% (28/83) consulted a doctor, while 16.9%(14/83) took post-exposure prophylaxis. Two-third (68.8% [190/276]) of respondents correctly cited HBV/HCV as vaccine-preventable blood-borne healthcare-associated infection (HAI) while half (50.9% [161/316]) had received HBV vaccination. Profession (p=0.018), display of SOPs in prominent places (p=0.015), ability to cite HBV/HCV as vaccine-preventable blood-borne HAI (p=0.001), and compliance with SP (p<0.001) were significantly associated with HBV vaccination. Unit heads' responses implied lack of written policy on HBV vaccination, adequate training on NSSI prevention, and HBV vaccination support.
 Conclusion: Among HCWs, NSSI is high but under-reported while HBV vaccination rate is unimpressive. Profession, display of relevant SOPs, and compliance with SP positively affected both NSSI occurrence and HBV vaccination while knowledge about vaccine-preventable blood-borne HAI also influence HBV vaccination status. Written policies on HBV vaccination and NSSI prevention/ management, their communication and enforcement among HCWs, adequate training/retraining, display of SOPs in prominent places, and free HBV vaccination are recommended
 Authors
 C U Onubogu 1, E I Nwaneli 1, C G Chigbo 2, M C Egbuniwe 3, R O Egeonu 4, S N Chukwurah 5, N P Maduekwe 6, I Onyeyili 6, C P Umobi 3, O F Emelumadu 7

Needle Stick or Sharp Injuries & Associated Factors Among Medical Students at Debre Tabor University

Background: Medical students throughout the world show a high rate of sharp injuries with a consequent risk of acquiring blood-borne infections while performing their clinical activities. Objective: This study was conducted to assess needle stick or sharp injuries among medical students of Debre Tabor University, and to identify the associated factors leading to Needlestick or sharp injury. Method: An institution-based cross-sectional study was conducted among 4th to 6th-year medical students at Debre Tabor University, by using census sampling through a self-administered semi-structured questionnaire, and the completeness of the questionnaires was assessed daily. Data were processed and analyzed using SPSS software version 21.0 and bivariate analysis was obtained using a logistic regression model. In addition, tables and figures were used as necessary to represent the data. Result and conclusion: According to our study, the prevalence of Needle stick or sharp injuries among medical students in clinical years other than clerkship I students in Debre Tabor University was found to be 28.5%. Medical interns were particularly affected with a prevalence rate of 66.6%. The associated factors with Needlestick or sharp injuries included the academic year of study and the department where the injury occurred.

Magnitude and Determinants of Needlestick and Sharp Injuries among Nurses Working in Tikur Anbessa Specialized Hospital, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

Background Needlestick and sharp injuries are a big risk to the health of nurses. Every day, nurses face the likelihood that they will injure themselves. Although many injuries will have no adverse effect, the possibility of acquiring infections like hepatitis C virus, hepatitis B virus, and human immunodeficiency virus can cause untold psychological harm. Nurses are in danger of injuries caused by needlestick and sharp instruments in hospitals. Objective The objective of this study was to assess the magnitude and determinants of needlestick and/or sharp injuries among nurses working at Tikur Anbessa Specialized Hospital, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, 2018. Methods An institution-based cross-sectional study was conducted among 268 nurses working at Tikur Anbessa Specialized Hospital from February to March 2018. A stratified random sampling technique was used to select the study participants. Data were collected using a self-administered questionnaire. A bivariate and multivariate logistic regression model was fitted to spot factors associated with needlestick and/or sharp injury. An adjusted odds ratio with a 95% confidence interval was computed to determine the level of significance. Result The prevalence of needlestick and/or sharp injuries among nurses was 36.2% (95% CI 30.2%, 42.3%). Presence of contaminated needles and/or sharp materials in the working area (AOR = 2.052 (95% CI 1.110, 3.791)), needle recapping after use (AOR = 1.780 (95% CI 1.025, 3.091)), working in the pediatric ward (AOR = 0.323 (95% CI 0.112, 0.930)), and being female (AOR = 0.461 (95% CI 0.252, 0.845)) were significantly associated with needlestick and/or sharp injury at p value of ≤0.05. Conclusion and Recommendation. The proportion of needlestick and/or sharp injury was high among nurses. The safety of nurses depends directly on the degree to which nurses can identify and control the numerous occupational hazards specific to jobs. Thus, working unit specific safety precautions, a safe working environment, and appropriate needle and sharp disposal improve nurses' safety practices and thereby decrease the injuries.

The Prevalence of Needlesticks and Sharp Injuries, and the Associated Factors Among Midwives and Nurses in North Wollo Zone Public Hospitals, North East Ethiopia: An Institution-based Cross-sectional Study.

BackgroundHealth professionals are at high risk of exposure for needlestick or sharp injury due to repeated exposure in clinical areas. This exposure leads to the acquiring of different infectious diseases like human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), hepatitis B virus (HBV), hepatitis C virus (HCV), and other infectious diseases. Nurses and midwives having repeated exposure due to long working time, not wearing personal protective equipment, less work experience, and who are unable to apply infection prevention utilization guidelines are at high risk of needlestick and sharp injuries.MethodsAn institutional-based, cross-sectional study design was conducted in North Wollo Zone public hospitals. A simple random sampling technique was applied to select study subjects. The method of data collection was self-administered questionnaires that are structured and pretested from February to March 2019. The data were analyzed using both descriptive and analytical statistics. Binary logistic regressions were used to test the association between variables. Then, P-value <0.05 was considered as statistically significant in this study.ResultsOf the 147 respondents who participated in the study, 50.3% were female and 49.7% were male. The prevalence of needlestick and the sharp injuries was 75.5%. Recap practice of needle (AOR: 3.880; 95%CI: 1.666–9.036), working room (maternal care room) (AOR: 2.968; 95%CI: 1.012–8.703), and contagious room like emergency room (AOR: 3.587; 95%CI: 1.383–9.301) are significantly associated with needlestick and sharp injuries.ConclusionThis study showed that three-quarters of the study subjects were exposed to needlestick injury at least once in the past year. Needle recapping practice and working room were associated with needlestick and sharp injuries. Then, health personnel should avoid the practice of recapping a needle and tale care themself to avoid needle and sharp injuries in the workplace.

Prevalence of Needle Stick and Sharp Injuries Among Surgical Specialist Hospital-Cardiac Center in Erbil City: A Cross-Sectional Study

Introduction: Needle-stick and sharp injuries (NSSI) pose a serious problem and a major risk of work-related transmitted diseases among healthcare workers. The extent of NSI in the Kurdistan region / Iraq hospitals has been unknown. The factors related to NSIs among healthcare workers were evaluated in the present study. The main purpose of this study is to determine the prevalence of NSI and its associated factors among the respondents.&#x0D; Material and Methods: The cross-sectional study was conducted on 150 randomly selected healthcare staff with a working experience of at least 1 year in the hospital. The study location is a surgical specialist hospital-cardiac center, situated in Erbil/Iraq. The self-administered questionnaire was used to collect information on socio-demographic, employment and individual characteristics, as well as data on NSSI, suffered in the past 12 months.&#x0D; Results: The majority of participants (34%) were in the 30 to 35year age group. Most were male (60.7%), married (61.3%), have at least degree qualification (89%). The prevalence of NSSI was 67%. Needle stick was the main frequent of NSSRs (66%). Needle recap was all the time done among health workers 104 (69%), they almost use both hands for recap 136 (91%). Education, working environment satisfaction, sleeping quality of the health staff have been considered the main indicators of NSSI.&#x0D; Conclusion: The rate of NSSI was considered high in this study compared to the rates in many developing countries. Arrangement schedules for work and sleeping of staff could decrease the NSSI rate.

Occupational accidents among healthcare workers in a tertiary health facility in Enugu state, South-East Nigeria

Background: The risk of acquiring blood borne infections by healthcare workers (HCWs) in developing countries is accentuated by the high prevalence of blood borne infections, poor provision of personal protective equipment (PPEs), negative socio-cultural factors and poorly maintained healthcare systems. The objective was to determine the prevalence of occupational accidents among HCWs in a tertiary health facility in Enugu state, South-East Nigeria.Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study that used mixed method technique. The quantitative data was collected using a self-administered questionnaire while an in-depth interview (IDI) guide was used for the qualitative data. Manual content analysis was done for the qualitative data while the quantitative data was analysed using SPSS version 22. The significance level placed at p&lt;0.05.Results: The prevalence of mucous membranes exposure to blood/body fluids were the same in the past 6 and 12 months (22.0%) while the mean number of exposures were 3.93±3.002 and 4.47±4.008 respectively. The prevalence of needle stick or sharps injury in the past 6 and 12 months were 17.0% and 23.0% while the mean numbers of injuries were 2.24±2.001 and 2.48±2.858 respectively. The injuries occurred majorly while recapping needles and breaking injection ampoules. Emergent themes from the IDI were also recapping of needles and breaking of injection ampoules.Conclusions: There is still high prevalence of occupational accidents among the studied HCWs training and re-training of HCWs on the dangers associated with these occupational accidents.

Common Causes Associated With Occupational Injuries in Iranian Health Care Workers: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis Study

Introduction: Occupational injuries are the most important hazards threatening health care workers (HCWs) and cause contact with infectious agents and the transmission of diseases such as AIDS and hepatitis B and C. This study is a meta-analysis of studies on the common causes of occupational injuries in Iran. Methods: In this meta-analysis, all articles on injuries to HCWs in Iran published on local and international databases during the period 2000-2016 were assessed for eligibility. Using the keywords occupational injury, needle stick injury, healthcare workers, and Iran, searches of local and international databases were conducted. From 60 articles screened, 19 were determined to be relevant and were subsequently analyzed. Results: The results of this meta-analysis showed that needles and injections were the most common causes of occupational injuries in HCWs. The pooled prevalence of needle stick was estimated to be 52.95% (46.05%-59.84%) based on the reports of 19 studies with a total of 8703 participants. The pooled prevalence rate of injections was estimated to be 33.56% (27.43%-37.90%). Conclusion: The results showed that routine activities of HCWs most commonly result in occupational injuries. Given the high prevalence of needles and injections as causes of occupational injuries in Iranian HCWs, more attention and the development of effective strategies to reduce these injuries are necessary.

Needlestick Injuries in Healthcare Workers in the North East of Iran

Introduction: Needle-stick injuries are the second most commonly reported adverse incident and constitute a major hazard for the transmission of blood transmitted diseases. The incidence of Needle stick is higher than the reported cases in different countries. Reporting of these exposures is often a challenge for HCWs (health care workers). This article describes the prevalence of occupational injuries caused by contacting patients with needle and sharp objects and fluids of the patients’ body fluids in HCWs. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study has been conducted in 4 hospitals affiliated to Mashhad University of medical sciences, Iran during 2008-2015. We assessed self-reported occupational exposures in HCWs includes nurse, physician, medical student and other. Results:Among the HCWs with NSIs, other personnel includes paramedics, assistants, crew, midwife, operation room personnel, and laboratory, radiology and physiotherapy personnel had the highest percentage of needle stick contact , followed by nurses. Self-reporting of needle-stick has been growing in this period. In this study, the hepatitis B immunity in sharps injury recipients was 90-95% in 2015. Conclusion: The prevalence of needle stick in HCWs is high. Preventive strategies had to be devised. Use of safety engineering devices, to encourage recording and reporting of incidents, hepatitis B immunity, serological tests, follow-up post exposure, training in precaution standard is necessary for HCWs and medical students.

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.

Prevalence Of Needle Stick Injuries And Their Underreporting Among Healthcare Workers In The Department Of Obstetrics And Gynaecology

Introduction: Needle stick and sharp injuries (NSSIs) are hazardous and are frequently reported injuries among health care workers (HCW). These injuries expose them to infectious disease pathogens such as Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C and HIV that can be lethal. The physicians, nurses, medical students and other healthcare workers are highly susceptible to needle stick injuries. Standard precautions are available for all the workers and students’ safety purposes. Every incident is compulsory to be reported but some are under-reported. This represents a missed opportunity for initiating post exposrure prophylaxis, early detection of seroconversion and implementation of prevention strategies.Objectives: Obstetrics and Gynaecology Department is one of the department estimated as high risk of sharp injuries. The objective of the study is to identify the prevalence of needle stick and sharps injuries (NSSIs) and the rate of under-reporting to occupational health services. It also aims to explore the reasons for under-reporting and the knowledge, awareness and perception of risk of needle stick injuries in Obstetrics and Gynaecology Department of two teaching hospitals in Malaysia.Methods: A cross-sectional study of 194 respondents involving all the healthcare workers and students (Specialists, Medical Offiers, House offiers, Nurses, Medical assistants, Medical students and nursing students) from Obstertrics and Gynaecology wards in two teaching hospitals who are willing to participate were included. A structured questionnaire was used as the survey instrument. By using statistical analysis, we compared the data of sociodemographics of health workers, injury information, knowledge on risk of needle stick injury and risk perception on needle stick injury.Results: Out of 194 respondents, a total of 19(9.8%) respondents sustained needle stick injury. The prevalence was highest among medical student, 42.1%(n=8). Among the 19 cases, 36.8% did not report the incident due to perceived low risk of Hepatitis B/Human Immuno defiiency virus infection (42.9%), and that it was not important to report the incident (28.6%).Conclusion: There is a fair understanding of Universal Work Precaution among the HWCs in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology in both the hospitals. However, there still exist a large gap between their knowledge, attitude and practice of the universal work precaution. As noted in the study, the highest prevalence of needle stick injury and its’ under-reporting is among medical students. Therefore, exposure prevention among the students must be an institutionalconcern, although every student must be aware of their responsibility for this prevention. Completion of three doses of Hepatitis B must be reiterated and HWCs must also be aware of their antibody status.

Prevalence of needle stick and sharp injuries among nursing and midwifery students

Prevalence of needle stick and sharp injuries among nursing and midwifery students

Needle Stick and Sharp Injuries and Associated Factors among Nurses Working In Jimma University Specialized Hospital, South West Ethiopia

Introduction: Needle Stick and Sharp Injuries (NSSIs) are the commonest rout by which blood borne infections such as HIV, HBV and HCV can transmit. Such infections serve as high occupational risks and threats to health professionals. The objective of this study was to assess the prevalence of Needle stick and sharp injuries and associated factors among nurses working in Jimma University Specialized Hospital, South West Ethiopia. Methods: An institutional based cross sectional study design was employed among nurses with at least one year work experience in Jimma University Specialized Hospital from March 31 to April 04, 2014. A total of 173 study subjects were selected using simple random sampling technique from sampling frame using lottery method. Data was collected using pretested English version questionnaire through self-administered interview. To maintain the quality of data pretesting and supervision of data collection process was done. The collected data were checked for completeness, edited and entered into EpiData version 3.1 and exported to SPSS version 21.00 for analysis. To explain the study variables descriptive statistics was used. Association between dependent and independent variables was calculated using chi square test. P-value of less than 0.05 was considered as significant association. Results: Out of the total 173 study subjects, 170 were included in the final analysis and giving a response rate of 98.3%. Majority of the study subjects 95 (55.88%) were female nurses. This study indicate that nurses’ sex, monthly salary, marital status, work experience, working Unit/department/, training on IP and patent safety, presence of contaminated needle and sharps materials in the working area, job satisfaction, level of job stress on nurse respondents, use of personal protective and gloves during the practice work by needles/sharps and recapping of needles after use had significant association with the occurrence of sharp and needle stick injury in nurses. In general this study revealed that no single factor accounted for the occurrence of NSSIs. Conclusion and recommendation: This study demonstrated a relatively high prevalence of NSSIs among nurses of JUSTH. The high prevalence of NSSIs highlights the need for developing effective preventing strategies. Training of nurses should be emphasized and essential in preventing high NSSIs risks in the hospital.

Occupational exposure, knowledge of standard precautions and behavior among health workers in Southern Nigeria

Results 57.7% of respondents were aware of the term Standard Precautions (SPs) overall. Doctors (94.4%) and nurses (84.2%) had the highest levels of awareness compared to 3.0% of health assistants. There was a significant relationship between the respondents’ level of education and a correct knowledge of SPs. (Fisher’s Exact= 125.745, df = 4, p = 0.000) and duration of employment was not significantly associated with the awareness of SPs. (x2 = 5.676, df =3, p =0.128). Life time risks of needle stick (39.8%; 95% CI 36.4-44.6%) and sharps injuries (25.7%; 95% CI 21.8-29.6%) were high. 77 .8% washed their hands at the close of work. Over half (56.6%) always used gloves and two-thirds (62.3%) had never worn goggles during contact with blood and body fluids. Only 46.2% of HCWs reported washing their hands before each patient contact. Overall compliance with non-recapping of used needles was generally poor (14.6%) and about half (48.1%) of the respondents recapped used needles before disposal. The one year prevalence of needle stick and sharps injury were 29.3% (95% CI 26.7-32.8%) and 22.9% (95% CI 19.8-25.2%) respectively.

Standard precautions: occupational exposure and behavior of health care workers in Ethiopia.

BackgroundOccupational exposure to blood and body fluids is a serious concern for health care workers, and presents a major risk for the transmission of infections such as HIV and hepatitis viruses. The objective of this study was to investigate occupational exposures and behavior of health care workers (HCWs) in eastern Ethiopia.MethodsWe surveyed 475 HCWs working in 10 hospitals and 20 health centers in eastern Ethiopia using a structured questionnaire with a response rate of 84.4%. Descriptive statistics and multivariate analysis using logistic regression were performed.ResultsLife time risks of needle stick (30.5%; 95% CI 26.4–34.6%) and sharps injuries (25.7%; 95% CI 21.8–29.6%) were high. The one year prevalence of needle stick and sharps injury were 17.5% (95% CI 14.1–20.9%) and 13.5% (95% CI 10.4–16.6%) respectively. There was a high prevalence of life time (28.8%; 95% CI = 24.7–32.9%) and one year (20.2%; 95% CI = 16.6–23.8%) exposures to blood and body fluids. Two hundred thirteen (44.8%) HCWs reported that they were dissatisfied by the supply of infection prevention materials. HCWs had sub-optimal practices and unfavorable attitudes related to standard precautions such as needle recapping (46.9%) and discriminatory attitudes (30.5%) toward HIV/AIDS patients.ConclusionThere was a high level of exposure to blood and body fluids among HCWs. We detected suboptimal practices and behavior that put both patients and HCWs at significant risk of acquiring occupational infections. Health authorities in the study area need to improve the training of HCWs and provision of infection prevention equipment. In addition, regular reporting and assessment of occupational exposures need to be implemented.

Acidentes perfurocortantes: prevalência e medidas profiláticas em alunos de odontologia

Doenças infecto-contagiosas têm estimulado pesquisas sobre acidentes ocupacionais e biossegurança entre profissionais da saúde de diferentes países. No Brasil, poucos são os estudos realizados na Odontologia. Este estudo objetivou identificar a prevalência de acidentes perfurocortantes e as medidas profiláticas pós-acidentes em duas Faculdades de Odontologia de Recife, Pernambuco, Brasil. A amostra se constituiu de 300 alunos do ciclo profissional, escolhidos aleatoriamente e entrevistados por um dos pesquisadores. Constatou-se que a prevalência de alunos acidentados nas duas instituições foi de 25,3%, com percentual mais elevado nos alunos do 8º ao 10º períodos (35,3%). Dos acidentados, 34,2% foram orientados por professores em relação às medidas profiláticas. A maioria (73,7%) se restringiu a lavar o ferimento com água e sabão. Apenas 13,2% procuraram serviço médico especializado em acidentes ocupacionais, no entanto, 88,7% classificaram o conhecimento que tinham acerca de medidas profiláticas pós-acidentes de razoável a bom. Os autores concluíram que um percentual ainda elevado de acadêmicos foi submetido à experiência de acidentes perfurocortantes, com potencial de contaminação biológica, fazendo-se necessário potencializar medidas profiláticas no intuito de minimizar tais circunstâncias deletérias à saúde daqueles envolvidos na assistência odontológica.