Publication: Knowledge and Practice of Health Care Workers regarding Needle Stick Injuries in a Tertiary Care Center of Nepal
Date
2015
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Kathmandu University
Abstract
ABSTRACT
Background
Needle stick injuries are common health hazards among health care workers.
Considering the increasing prevalence of body fluid borne infectious diseases;
knowledge regarding the common errors and universal precautions are vital for the
prevention of such accidents.
Objective
This study aimed to assess for knowledge and practice approaches among health
care workers regarding needle stick injuries.
Method
This is a cross sectional survey was conducted using an anonymous, self-reporting
25-item structured questionnaire at a tertiary care center of central Nepal. A total
of 165 health care personnel of working experience of more than 6 months were
included in the study. Questionnaire included aspects of prevalence and knowledge
on needle stick injury, hepatitis B immunization status and post exposure prophylaxis
for HIV.
Result
Prevalence of needle stick injury was found to be 703 per 1000 health care worker
(70.3%) during their working tenure and majority of the injury happened among
nurses (p<0.05) besides other professions. Seventy nine (47.9%) participants
experienced the injury more than one time in their career and the mean number
of injury was 2.06±1.16. The practice of needle recapping is still prevalent and 80%
participants often use single handed technique. Vaccination against hepatitis B
virus was not completed by 31% health workers. Inadequate knowledge about post
exposure prophylaxis for HIV was reported by 46% participants.
Conclusion
High prevalence of needle stick injury with a high rate of ignorance was noted. These
issues need to be addressed, through appropriate education and interventional
strategies.
KEY WORDS
Needle stick injury, post exposure prophylaxis.
Description
Singh B,1 Paudel B,1 KC S2
1Department of Nursing
2Department of Dermatology
Dhulikhel Hospital, Kathmandu University Hospital
Dhulikhel, Kavre, Nepal
Keywords
Needle stick injury, Post exposure prophylaxis