Occupational Exposure to Sharp Object Injuries Among Healthcare Workers in Dammam and Jeddah Hospitals, Saudi Arabia‏

Abstract

Mona A Al-Zahrani, Mahmoud M Berekaa, Mohammed Al-Warthan, Abdulaziz A AlMulla Department of Environmental Health, College of Public Health, Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal University (IAU), Dammam, Eastern Province, Saudi ArabiaCorrespondence: Mahmoud M Berekaa, Email [email protected]: This study identify the prevalence of sharp object injuries (SOIs) among healthcare workers (HCWs) in Dammam and Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.Methods: Quantitative methodology using a cross-sectional design was applied. Chi-square testing was employed for comparative analyses, and logistic regression encompassing univariate and multivariate models was implemented to ascertain the predictors of SOIs.Results: Prevalence rate of SOIs among hospital HCWs in Dammam and Jeddah cities was 8.40%. Non-Saudi nationals had a rate of 11.9%, while participants who had more than 15 years of experience had a lower rate (9.9%). Gender was identified as a significant predictor of SOIs, with males being two times more likely to experience SOIs than females. The highest rates of injuries were observed among laboratory personnel (29.2%; odds ratios of 8.6 and 7.2 in univariate and multivariate models, respectively).Conclusion: These findings show that HCWs in Dammam have a marginally higher risk of SOIs (prevalence rate 9%) than their counterparts in Jeddah (prevalence rate 7.8%). Further investigations are needed to tailor specific training programs to increase HCWs’ awareness, safety knowledge, and practices to reduce SOIs.Keywords: sharp object injuries, bloodborne pathogens, laboratory personnel, hospitals

Keywords

• sharp object injuries
• bloodborne pathogens
• laboratory personnel
• hospitals