Background: Basic infection control measures in any nursing setup can reduce the rates of healthcare-associated infections. Reducing the risk of infection and using the prevention principles are in the realm of nursing. Objectives: The current study aimed to evaluate the level of knowledge and practices on infection control among the nursing staff. Patients and Methods:In this cross-sectional study 224 nurses were selected by random sampling from three teaching hospitals. A questionnaire was used to collect data. The questionnaire included three parts: demographic characteristic, level of knowledge, and practices among the nursing staff. Data were analyzed by SPSS software. Results: The result of the research showed that the majority of participants were female (53.6%), married (80.4%), had BS degree (89.3%) and had the working experience between 11 and 20 years (51.8%); 41.1% and 33.03% of the participants respectively had intermediate and high level of knowledge about infection control. Also the result showed that (75.8%) had intermediate level of performance in this field. There was a significant correlation between sex and performance of the participants (P = 0.014). Conclusions: According to the obtained results, the majority of nurses participating in the study had an intermediate level of knowledge and practice of infection control. There is a need to develop a system of continuous education for all the categories of nursing staff.

BackgroundHIV infection significantly increases the risk of tuberculosis and this disease is one of the most common opportunistic infections in HIV Patients.ObjectivesThe aim of this study was to determine of the prevalence of tuberculosis and risk factor among HIV patients.Materials and MethodsIn this cross-sectional study, from September 2009 to September 2010, 71 HIV patients who referred to teaching hospital in Tehran, Capital Iran were enrolled. Records of patients that admitted to hospital at least once a year and have positive test for HIV with ELISA and Western Blot were assessed. TB diagnosis testes included clinical finding, chest X-Ray and culture positive sputum.Results74.6 % and 38 % of them had prison history and history of addiction respectively, 28.2% of subjects co- infected with HIV / TB and 40% of patients were under treatment with anti-retroviral drugs. There was relationship Between TB and CD4 counts below 200 cells per micro-liters (P = 0.003), age (P = 0.000), anti-retroviral drugs (P = 0.001), discharge status (P = 0.004), prison history (P = 0.002) and alcohol and smoking (P = 0.01).ConclusionsThe prevalence rate of TB / HIV among intravenous drug abusers and prisoners was high also the prevalence of tuberculosis among HIV patients.

Needle stick injuries (NSI) are major occupational hazards for health care workers. Objectives: This study aimed to determine the Epidemiology of needle sticks and sharp injuries among nurses of an Iranian Teaching Hospital. Materials and Methods: This descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted in 2009 on 328 nurses in a health center in Tehran. Stratified random samples were selected among the staff. Data were collected through a questionnaire prepared for this study and were analyzed with the SPSS software version 15, by using descriptive and analytical statistical methods. Results: The results showed that 45.12% of the employees' occupational injuries were caused by sharp objects. Regarding the type of device, needle and angiocath needle had caused the most serious injuries with a frequency of 43.91% and 29.05%, respectively. After the injury incidence, 41.87% of the health staff only washed the injury area with adequate soap and water and 76.82% of the nurses have received the hepatitis B vaccination. The injury mostly occurred in the emergency department due to the overcrowding in the ward and the staff fatigue. There were significant associations between the staff age as well as the ward with the extent of injuries. Conclusions: Needle stick injuries are common among nurses and are often not reported. Improved standard infection control precautions (SICPs) policy and reporting strategies are needed in order to increase occupational safety for nurses.