Needle Stick Injuries among Health Care Workers of Alexandria University Hospitals

Abstract

Background: Needle stick injury has been recognized as one of the occupational hazards which results in transmission of blood borne pathogens. As there was limited data on the national level about these injuries determinants of such injuries are important to investigate and to design effective prevention programs. Objective: The purpose of this study was to investigate the prevalence and circumstances of needle stick injuries among heath care personnel working at Alexandria University hospitals. Effectiveness of the existing control measures and practice of standard precautions were also assessed. Methods: A cross-sectional survey was carried out among 913 health care workers (HCW) in different clinical departments of the three teaching hospitals from January to December 2007. Data were obtained by an anonymous, self-reporting questionnaire. Health Belief Model (HBM) was used to explain standard precautions practice. Multiple linear regression was performed to predict factors associated with the practice of standard precautions. Results: Of the recruited participants, 70.6% (645/913) had completed the questionnaires. Nurses had the highest response rate (92.5%). More than two thirds (68.0%, n=438) of participating HCWs had sustained at least one needle stick injury in the last 12 months. Risk of (Needle Stick Injuries (NSIs) was significantly associated with younger age of the participants and fewer years of work experience. More specifically, of all occupational groups, nurses have the highest risk to experience needle stick injuries (62.3%). Disposable syringes accounted for 38.4% of injuries. Most needle stick injuries (36.5%) occurred at the patient's ward. Evaluating the kind of activity under which the needle stick injury occurred, on average 36.0% of injuries occurred during recapping of a needle especially if this practice was handily done. High risk patients (one with a history of infection with HIV, hepatitis B, hepatitis C, or injection drug use) were involved in 8.2% of injuries. The majority of NSIs (73.1%) occurred at end of the shift. Most health care workers (77.4%) were mentally distressed during their injury. Factors increase possibility of infection transmission were the procedure involving a needle placed directly in patient's vein or artery, exposure to a source patient who had evidence of blood borne infection, low immune status of the HCW (i.e., no vaccination with HBV), deep injury, and lack use of personal protective equipment. A total of 327 respondents (74.7%) did not report the injury to an employee health service. Lack knowledge of appropriate procedure after injury was the most common cited reason for not reporting the injury. The survey revealed that use of preventive measures was inadequate. Only 10.0% of all participant workers knew new needless safety devices. The significant protective factors that decreased the frequency of needle stick injuries were using devices with safety features (OR=0.41), satisfactory adherence of a health care worker to infection control guidelines (OR=...

Factors associated with needle stick and sharp injuries among healthcare workers in Felege Hiwot Referral Hospital, Bahir Dar, Northwest Ethiopia: facility based cross-sectional survey

“…In this study, the majority of HCWs who sustained needle stick and sharp injury were Nurses. It is in agreement with a study done in Egypt, 16 and it is much higher as compared to studies done in Switzerland, South Africa, SSA, Nigeria, and Saudi Arabia. [9][10]15,[18][19] The possible difference may be due to the job description given to nurses where in Ethiopia a lot of exposure-prone procedures such as medication administration, and wound care are handled by nurses.…”

“…The study is almost in agreement to a study done in Egypt. 16 Implying that HCWs might practice recapping and/or might dispose of needles inappropriately. In the study area the practice of needle recapping after use is still prevalent among HCWs, where almost three fourths of the respondents (74.7%) reported that they were recapping the needles immediately after use, and from them one third (34.7%) were recapping using two hand technique.…”

“…12 But the proportion was lower than studies done in United Kingdom, Ethiopia, SSA, Egypt and India where the prevalence of needle stick and sharp injury reported were 38%, 51.6%, 57%, 67.9% and 80.1% respectively. [13][14][15][16][17] The possible difference in the proportion of injury could be the study design used, the socio-demographic/economic status, and cultural characteristics of study participants. Also it could be due to the difference in the study health facility set ups, and even the year of the study.…”

Prevalence of HCV Antibodies and HBV Surface Antigen among Workers of Zagazig Faculty of Medicine and its Hospitals

“…Exposure to blood and body fluids remains an important concern for healthcare workers, especially those who sustain a percutaneous injury. The risk of acquiring hepatitis B infection following a needle stick injury is estimated at approximately 30% [27].…”

Survey Study: Nurses Awareness Regarding Percutaneous Injection Safety, Designed Instructions Posters

“…-Nurses were asked to fill out the questionnaire sheet (tool I) to assess nurses` awareness and knowledge completely and truthfully. Nurses spent (10)(11)(12)(13)(14)(15) (23) was used to analyze data. Descriptive statistics was used for the quantitative data in knowledge and awareness questionnaire and the demographic data.…”