Needlestick injuries: a density-equalizing mapping and socioeconomic analysis of the global research

Abstract

Background Needlestick injuries have caused a deleterious effect on the physical and mental health of millions of health-care workers over the past decades, being responsible for occupational infections with viruses such as HIV or hepatis C. Despite this heavy burden of disease, no concise studies have been published on the global research landscape so far. Methods We used the New Quality and Quantity Indices in Science platform to analyze global NSI research (n = 2987 articles) over the past 115 years using the Web of Science and parameters such as global versus country-specific research activities, semi-qualitative issues, and socioeconomic figures. Results Density-equalizing mapping showed that although a total of n = 106 countries participated in NSI research, large parts of Africa and South America were almost invisible regarding global participation in NSI research. Average citation rate (cr) analysis indicated a high rate for Switzerland (cr = 25.1), Italy (cr = 23.5), and Japan (cr = 19.2). Socioeconomic analysis revealed that the UK had the highest quotient Q GDP of 0.13 NSI-specific publications per bill. US-$ gross domestic product (GDP), followed by South Africa (Q GDP = 0.12). Temporal analysis of HIV versus hepatitis research indicated that NSI-HIV research culminated in the early 1990s, whereas NSI-hepatitis research increased over the observed period from the 1980s until the last decade. Conclusion Albeit NSI research activity is generally increasing, the growth is asymmetrical from a global viewpoint. International strategies should be followed that put a focus on NSI in non-industrialized areas of the world.

Knowledge, attitudes, and practices of health care waste management among Zambian health care workers

“…In Zambia, there is currently no policy to vaccinate all health workers, which raises the risk of Hepatitis B and other infections to the health care staff. There is a paucity of research on needle stick injuries in Africa [25], but our study shows a high rate of needle sticks among health workers in Zambia. In order to prevent needle stick injuries among health workers, sufficient PPE should be provided and training on the handling of sharp instruments should be given at orientation to new staff and at regular intervals thereafter [26].…”

Exploring the Role of Latin American Universities in the Implementation of Transformative Innovation Policy

“…In Latin America, NIS refers to a set of institutions, policies, and actors that interact to generate, disseminate, and utilize knowledge and technology in the region [25]. Over time, the number of studies on NISs in Latin America has increased, although that growth has been asymmetrical from a global perspective [26]. Many authors have used the NIS approach to analyze the structure of actors and links that drive innovation in Latin American countries, as well as the inputs and outputs of these systems [27].…”

Sharps Injuries Among Healthcare Workers in Liberia and Ghana: A Cross-Sectional Survey

“…This is particularly true in West Africa (4), despite the enormous occupational health challenges faced by healthcare workers in that region (5), including the highest rate of HBV (∼8%) worldwide (6). It is estimated that mean number of sharps injuries in West Africa per HCW per year is 2.1, resulting in 33,000 exposures to HIV and HCV, and 131,000 exposures to HBV, per year (7).…”