Needle Sticks Injuries and its Related Factors among Nurses

Abstract

Abstract Background & Aim: Needle stick injuries as one of the most common occupational injuries in nursing are very important because of their potential risk of transmission of blood-borne infectious disease. The aim of this study was to determine the characteristics of needle stick injuries and its related factors among nursing staff. Material & Methods: In this cross-sectional study, 120 nursing staff of Saqqez Imam Khomeini's Hospital was recruited by census in 2014. Data was collected by needle stick injuries questionnaire and analyzed by descriptive statistics, independent T-test, Fisher's exact test and Chi -Square using PASW ( Predictive Analytics Software). Results: from a total of 120 nurses, 53 (44.2%) had a history of needle stick injuries in the last year. Comparing to other nurses, those with needle sticks injury were younger (p=0.01) and had less work experience (p=0.03). A total of 111 nurses (92.5%) had been vaccinated against hepatitis B and there was a significant relationship between hepatitis B vaccination and needle stick injuries (p=0.03). Only 14 nurses (11.7%) had reported their needle stick injuries. Conclusion: Regarding the high frequency of needle stick injuries in nursing staff, nursing managers should consider preventive approaches such as maintaining safety measures in work environment, providing complete vaccination coverage and a reliable reporting system to confront with this problem.

Keywords

• nurse
• needle sticks
• injury