Prevalence of needle stick injuries, its associated factors and awareness among nursing staff at tertiary care hospital of North India

Abstract

Background: Needle Stick Injuries (NSIs) are defined as accidental skin penetrating injuries caused by needles. It is the single greatest occupational hazard to a medical personnel. In developing countries, needle stick injury is associated with the highest global prevalence of HIV, Hepatitis B, and Hepatitis C. Aim & Objectives: To estimate the prevalence of needle stick injuries, its associated risk factors and assess the awareness regarding needle stick injuries among nursing staff. Material & Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among nursing staff who were working at a tertiary care hospital in Northern India during June 2019 to November 2019. The study commenced after taking prior approval from institutional ethics committee. A census method was used to include the participants. Results: Around 66.7% of the nursing staff was exposed to NSIs during their working hours at the hospital. There was significant association of needle stick injuries with place of working and education of nursing staff in multivariate binary logistic regression. About 26% of the nurses were unaware that recapping should be done or not for used needle, and 35% of staff nurses recapped the needle after the use. Conclusion: Needle stick injuries can be prevented by continued education, effective training, providing better safety devices, a positive work environment.

Prevalence of needle stick injury and its associated factors among nursing staff working at a tertiary care hospital of North India

“…10,12,[14][15][16] North India by Bharti (66.7%) and Ashat (68.2%). 17,18 But the overall prevalence in this study is lower than the figure from an earlier study in Iran by Jahangiri (76%). 19,20 Whereas, slightly lower prevalence was reported from Tehran (Iran) by Galougahi (56.96%), Assam (India) by Gupta (53.7%).…”

“…14 Bharti in contrast reported that the chances of getting NSI were higher among married staff nurses in comparison to the unmarried nursing staff. 17 Regarding sex, our study showed no significant association between gender and needle stick injury. Similar results have also been reported by Ahmed.…”

Study of behavioral and psychosocial factors relating to needle stick injuries in nursing staff of a tertiary care cancer hospital of Punjab, India

“…Majority of NSI incidents were observed in nursing staff having 4–6 years (70.5%) of experience and there was a decreasing trend with increase in years of experience. A similar inference was made by Bharti et alin their study in which nursing staff had 1.66 times higher chances of needle stick injury than those who had working experience more than 10 years ( 8 ). Dille et al also had same inference (0–5 years, 75.1%) ( 2 ).…”

“…The overall NSI prevalence in our study is 51.6% (49/95) which is higher than that reported from 2 Indian studies by Bhargava et al (44%) and Sardesai et al (45%) ( 6 , 7 ). Bharti et al and Gupta et al reported a prevalence of 66.7% and 69% respectively ( 3 , 8 ). Approximately 11.5% nursing staff reported more than one NSI event in their life.…”

“…Garus-Pakowaska et al reported that most injuries occurred during the morning shifts from 7 a.m.–1 p.m. (n = 18) ( 12 ). Bharti et al reported that maximum (33.6%) NSI incidents occurred during evening time and occurred during intravenous procedure (35%) ( 8 ). Recapping of needle (38.5%) was the most common predisposing factor leading to NSI incident followed by I/V drug administration (26%).…”