ABSTRACT
Background: Needle stick injuries (NSIs) are wounds caused by sharps such as hypodermic needles, blood collection needles, intravenous cannulas or needles. The health care workers (HCW’s) are at an increased risk of accidental needle stick and sharps injuries, because of the environment in which they work. About 30 diseases like hepatitis B, hepatitis C, HIV can be transmitted by NSI. The incidence of NSI is considerably higher than current estimates, due to gross under-reporting. The objectives of present study was to determine the burden of NSIs among various categories of health care workers (HCWs) at primary health centres (PHC’s) of Mandya district, to determine the factors influencing NSIs and to assess awareness regarding NSIs among various categories of HCWs. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted at PHC’s of Mandya district for a period of 6 months. Interview method was used to collect information regarding socio demographic details, occurrence of NSI, factors influencing NSI and awareness regarding NSI by using a pretested semi-structured questionnaire on HCWs. Results: Of the 621 HCWs working during the study period, 366 participated in the study. 93 (25.41%) of the HCWs had at least one episode of NSI in the past 1 year. The common category of HCWs who experienced NSI was the medical officers 39 (41.94%). Majority 48 (51.61%) of NSI’s occurred while vaccine/drug administration followed by withdrawing of drug from the bottle 23 (24.73%). The medical officers and staff nurses had better knowledge regarding the diseases spread through NSI. Conclusions: Among the HCW’s, doctors and nurses are more prone for NSI. Vaccine/drug administration and withdrawing of drug from the bottle are circumstances where NSIs commonly occur hence education regarding safe injection practices are necessary.
ABSTRACT
Background: WHO guidelines recommend for treating Cat III animal bite victims with local infiltration of Equine Rabies Immunoglobulin (ERIG) into and around animal bite wounds followed by anti-rabies vaccine (ARV).The main reason for non-use of ERIGs by medical profession is the fear of anaphylaxis and laborious process. The present study was taken up with the objectives to assess the clinical safety of a new ERIG, describe sociodemographic profile of ERIG recipients and compliance to Intra Dermal Rabies Vaccine (IDRV), who reported to Anti Rabies Clinic (ARC) of Mandya Institute of Medical Sciences (MIMS), Mandya.Methods: Descriptive study at ARC, MIMS, Mandya for a period of one year. The data was collected using structured questionnaire. The data was entered into Microsoft excel and results were expressed using descriptive statistics.Results: The study revealed that cat III animal bite victims were 3400 (56.3%), of these only 545 (16.0%) opted for the new ERIG. Skin Sensitivity Test (SST) showed positive results in 17 (3.1%) cases. Among the ERIG recipients 28 (5.1%) had mild adverse reaction to ERIG. The compliance rate was 49.2% for all 4 doses of IDRV.Conclusions: 3.1% showed positive result to SST. 5.1% had mild adverse reaction to ERIG.