Prevalence of Needle Stick Injuries Among Nurses in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia

Abstract

Needle-stick injuries (NSIs), sharp tools, and other devices that penetrate the skin are considered occupational hazards for health workers. The most dangerous pathogens in the blood are transmitted through contaminated needles. Thus, this study aimed to investigate the prevalence and associated factors related to NSIs among nurses in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. Patients and Methods: A quantitative cross-sectional descriptive study design was used. A total of 219 nurses working in a hospital in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, were recruited for this study. All registered nurses and adult, male, and female nurses working in general and critical care units were included in this study. Data were collected using an online questionnaire. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics using IBM Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) version 23. The chi-square test was used to identify variables associated with NSI. Results: The prevalence of NSIs among nurses in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, was 19.7%. Conclusion: NSIs are the most dangerous pathogens transmitted through the blood between health workers. The prevalence of NSIs was 19.7%. Thus, nurses need to be provided with educational training on how to prevent NSIs.

Factors Association with Needle Stick Injury: An Overview of Prevention & Management

“…Personal characteristics associated with NSIs among dentists in Taiwan included the practitioner's experience, the number of patients seen each day, recapping needles, knowledge of infectious diseases, and adherence to infection control policies [9] . In order to reduce the occurrences of NSIs, nurse education and institutional support are essential because they can enhance and strengthen training on occupational safety, provide enough protective equipment to avoid NSIs, and enhance the working environment in hospitals [3] Development and application of occupational safety and health policies and programs based on those variables, as well as adequate oversight of their execution, are necessary additional steps to reduce the chance of NSIs occurring All nursing professionals, both new and seasoned, need to take NSI prevention training. All healthcare professionals must receive the greatest infection control training.…”

“…Additionally, it was discovered that 60.2% of NSIs were not reported, and that recapping the needles was the source of 41.4% of NSIs. Additionally, their research revealed a connection between working hours, sex, and the occurrence of NSIs [3] .…”

“…According to estimates, 3 out of 1000 health care workers are at risk of getting HIV as a result of percutaneous contact with HIV-positive blood [2] . In every medical environment, NSIs represent a significant risk and are a frequent event [3] . The World Health Organization (WHO) reported that millions of health workers from 35 occupations worldwide were exposed to infection as a result of needle stick injuries (NSIs) each year, with hepatitis B and C accounting for the highest percentages (37.6% and 39%, respectively) and HIV accounting for the lowest percentages (4.4%) [3] .…”

“…In every medical environment, NSIs represent a significant risk and are a frequent event [3] . The World Health Organization (WHO) reported that millions of health workers from 35 occupations worldwide were exposed to infection as a result of needle stick injuries (NSIs) each year, with hepatitis B and C accounting for the highest percentages (37.6% and 39%, respectively) and HIV accounting for the lowest percentages (4.4%) [3] . A study in 2012 including 52 hospitals found that the national rate of NSIs in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) was 3.2 per 100 occupied hospital beds [4] .…”

“…Due to the high number of injuries, it's also crucial to identify and minimize the risk factors for NSIs [3] . a study in North East Ethiopia found that private hospital employees were 9.62 times more likely to contract NSIs than those working in government hospitals due to their weak commitment to best practices and lack of usage of personal protective equipment [4] .…”