ABSTRACT
To estimate the frequency of needle stick and sharp injuries [NSSI] among nurses in two hospitals in Ajman and to determine the nurses' awareness about the consequences and precautions regarding NSSI. A cross sectional study was conducted from July 2011 to March 2012 among registered nurses in two hospitals in Ajman, UAE, namely GMC Hospital and Sheikh Khalifa Hospital. A total of 186 respondents filled a self-administered questionnaire regarding their experience in handling needles and sharps and any encounter with a needle stick and/or sharps injury in the years of service in the current hospital. Their knowledge and awareness of consequences and prevention of NSSIs were also assessed. The data were expressed as frequencies and percentages. Out of 186 nurses, 51 [29%] reported NSSIs. 26 [28.3%], were from GMC Hospital and 25[30.5%], were from Sheikh Khalifa hospital. 46 [29.1%], were females, while 5 [35.7%], were males. 28 [54.9%], had reported Needle Sticks and Sharps Injuries, while 23 [45.1%], did not report any history of injury. The most common instrument to cause injury were disposable syringes, 26 [51%], The majority of the nurses attributed NSSI to being rushed 22 [45.8%], and the majority of the NSSIs had occurred in the ward or at the bedside 13[25.5%]. NSSIs are frequent in hospitals in Ajman. Most of these are sustained through disposable syringes, and the nurses perceived that being rushed was the cause. Most nurses understood that infection with HIVAIDS virus, Hepatitis B virus and Hepatitis C virus are possible consequences of NSSIs