Needlestick and sharp injuries and its associated factors among healthcare workers in Southern Ethiopia

Abstract

Background: Needlesticks and sharp injuries are occupational hazards for healthcare workers that result from the accidental piercing of the skin. Needlestick injuries expose healthcare workers to blood and body fluids that may be infected and can be transmitted to them. Healthcare workers have been exposed to blood-borne pathogens through contaminated needles and other sharp materials every day. Around 20 blood-borne diseases can be transmitted through casual needlesticks and sharp injuries. Objective: To assess needlestick and sharp injuries and its associated factors among healthcare workers in Southern Ethiopia, 2021. Methods: The hospital-based cross-sectional study design was conducted among 341 healthcare workers in Worabe Comprehensive Specialized Hospital from June 10 to July 6, 2021. A stratified sampling technique was used and data were collected using standardized structural questionnaires by BSc nursing professionals. The collected data were checked for completeness and consistency by the investigator. The completed questionnaire was given an identification number and entered into EpiData version 3.5.1. The data were coded and analyzed using SPSS version 26 using a binary logistic regression model and presented with texts, tables, and graphs. Results: The finding revealed that 30.6% of healthcare workers had experienced needlestick and sharp injuries within their working area. Healthcare workers not trained on safety measures of needlestick and sharp injury (adjusted odds ratio: 7.179 (3.494–14.749)), working in the delivery unit (adjusted odds ratio: 6.528 (3.171–11.834)), being older age (adjusted odds ratio: 3.394 (1.775–7.126)), working in inpatient unit (3.278 (1.804–5.231)), working in an emergency unit (adjusted odds ratio: 5.718 (4.326–6.398)), working in an operation room theater (adjusted odds ratio: 2.359 (1.781–4.430)), working as a medical laboratory technician (adjusted odds ratio: 1.070 (1.432–3.304)), working in pediatrics unit (adjusted odds ratio: 1.063 (1.431–2.843)), working as cleaners (adjusted odds ratio: 0.018 (0.002–0.195)), working <40 h per week (adjusted odds ratio: 0.036 (0.004–0.345)), and seldom needle recapping (adjusted odds ratio: 0.043 (0.015–0.125)) were statistically associated with needlestick and sharp injury. Conclusions: In this study, there is a high magnitude of needlestick or sharp injuries among healthcare workers. Lack of training on work-related safety measures; working in delivery; being older age; working in the inpatient unit, emergency, operation room, and pediatrics units; being laboratory technicians, and cleaners; working hours per week; and seldom needle recapping were significant predictors of needlestick and sharp injury.

Prevalence and associated factors of needlestick and sharp object injuries among healthcare workers in Ethiopia: a systematic review and meta-analysis

“…All eligible articles were considered in the forest plot to determine the pooled prevalence of needlestick and sharp object injuries. Regarding the distributions of the included studies, the majority were conducted in the Amhara region ( 3 , 18 , 19 , 22 – 24 , 38 ), followed by Oromia ( 27 – 30 ), SNNPRs ( 15 , 16 , 31 ), Addis Ababa ( 25 , 26 ), and one each in Dire Dawa ( 33 ), Gambella ( 34 ), Sidama ( 35 ), Somali ( 36 ), and Tigray ( 32 ). All included studies used cross-sectional study designs.…”

“…The response rate ranged from 82% (16) to 100% (17), with an average of 94.17%. Among the included original articles, eight studies were conducted in Amhara regional state (17)(18)(19)(20)(21)(22)(23)(24), two were conducted in the Addis Ababa city administration (25, 26), four studies each were conducted in the Oromia regional state (27)(28)(29)(30) and the South Nations, Nationalities, and Peoples' Region (SNNPR) (15,16,31), and one study each was conducted in the Tigray regional state (32), Dire Dawa (33), Gambella (34), Sidama (35), and Somali (36) (Table 1).…”

The Prevalence of Occupational Accidents and the Associated Factors Among Janitorial Staff at a University Teaching Hospital in South Ethiopia

“…Similarly, studies found that the older age groups of healthcare workers were more likely to be exposed to injuries compared to the younger age workers. 6 , 25 This could be because workers burn out and lose physical and cognitive abilities as they age, making it difficult for them to act correctly at work and putting them vulnerable to injuries.…”

Prevalence and Characteristics of Needle Stick and Sharp Injuries Among King Salman Armed Forces Hospital Personnel in Tabuk City: A Retrospective Hospital-Based Study

“…Night shift work may greatly increase the risk of HCWs sustaining NSSIs [ 19 ]. HCWs report high levels of job stress, burnout, and discontent, which increases their risk of sustaining NSSIs [ 20 ].…”