Prevalence and associated factors for needlestick and sharp injuries (NSIs) among dental assistants in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia

BACKGROUND@#Dental personnel are subject to exposure to a number of occupational factors including needlestick and sharp injuries (NSIs). Our study aims to address knowledge gaps on prevalence and associated factors for needlestick and sharp injuries (NSIs) for the first time in Saudi Arabia.@*METHODS@#This cross-sectional study was conducted on a sample of 450 dental assistants recruited from 40 randomly selected private clinics in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. Data on demographic characteristics, history of NSIs, nature of work, compliance with infection control protocols, and knowledge of infection control procedures and disease transmission were collected using a self-administered questionnaire. Logistic regression analysis was used to assess factors associated with NSIs; unadjusted and adjusted odds ratios (aORs) and their respective 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were computed.@*RESULTS@#About three in ten dental assistants experienced at least one NSI (29.8%, 95% CI 25.6-34.2%) in private dental clinics. Lack of adequate knowledge of infection control procedures and disease transmission, non-compliance with infection control protocol of vaccination against hepatitis B virus, and attending 12 or less number of patients daily were significantly associated with increased risk of NSIs (p ≤ 0.05); adjusted odds ratios (95% CI) were 1.87 (1.18-2.97), 1.89 (1.05-3.41), and 1.63 (1.03-2.56), respectively. In addition, dental assistants working in 45.8% of dental clinics that had no infection control unit were positively associated with higher NSI risk (aOR = 2.28, 95% CI 1.45-3.57).@*CONCLUSION@#Our study reported the prevalent nature of NSIs among dental assistants in Saudi Arabia and identified key factors that could be targeted to mitigate this preventable condition. Dental assistants would benefit from proper training on infection control protocols and procedures.

Sharp injuries: a cross-sectional study among health care workers in a provincial teaching hospital in China

BACKGROUND@#The objectives of this study are to investigate the incidence and reporting behavior of sharp injuries among healthcare workers (HCWs) and identify the risk factors associated with these injuries.@*METHODS@#A cross-sectional survey was conducted in February 2017 in a provincial teaching hospital in China. Data were collected from 901 HCWs using a self-administered questionnaire which included demographic information, experience, and reporting behavior of sharp injuries. Stepwise logistical regression was used to analyze the risk factors.@*RESULTS@#HCWs (248 [27.5%]) had sustained a sharp injury in the previous year. Factors including seniority, job category, title, education, department, and training programs were associated with the occurrence of sharp injuries. According to the stepwise logistical regression, seniority, and training programs were the risk factors associated with the occurrence of sharp injuries. Of 248 sharp injuries, 130 HCWs were exposed to blood. Only 44 (33.9%) HCWs reported their injuries to the concerned body. The main reasons for not reporting the sharp injuries were as follows: perception that the extent of the injury was light (30.2%), having antibodies (27.9%), and unaware of injury (16.3%).@*CONCLUSIONS@#Sharp injuries in the studied hospital were common and were likely to be underreported. Therefore, an effective reporting system and sufficient education on occupational safety should be implemented by the relevant institutions. Moreover, it is important to take effective measures to manage sharp injuries in HCWs and provide guidance for their prevention.

Danger in the streets: exposures to bloodborne pathogens after community sharp injuries in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

ABSTRACT Objective: Exposures to sharps injuries occurring in the community are relatively frequent. We describe characteristics of community sharp exposures reported in the city of Rio de Janeiro from 1997 to 2010. Methods: A cross-sectional analysis of exposure reports to sharps in the community reported to a surveillance system, designed for health care workers, of the Municipal Health Department of Rio de Janeiro. The characteristics of exposed individuals analyzed included types of exposure, the circumstances of the accident, and the prophylaxis offered. Results: 582 exposures were studied. Median age was 30 years and 83 (14%) involved children with less than 10 years of age. Two hundred and seventeen (37%) occurred with sharps found in the streets. The exposure was percutaneous in 515 (89%) and needles where involved in 406 (70%) of them. The sharps were present in the trash in 227 (39%) or in the environment in 167 (29%) of the reports. Professionals who work with frequent contact with domestic or urban waste were 196 (38%). The source was known in 112 (19%) of the exposures and blood was involved in 269 (46%). Only 101 (19%) of the injured subjects reported a complete course of vaccination for hepatitis B. Antiretroviral prophylaxis was prescribed for 392 (68%) of the exposed subjects. Conclusions: Sharps injuries occurring in the community are an important health problem. A great proportion would be avoided if practices on how to dispose needles and sharps used outside health units were implemented.

Hepatitis B vaccination coverage and the determinants of vaccination among health care workers in selected health facilities in Lusaka district, Zambia: an exploratory study

BACKGROUND: Hepatitis B is a viral infection of the liver and causes both acute and chronic disease. It is transmitted through contact with an infected person's bodily fluids. It is an occupational hazard for healthcare workers and can be prevented by the administration of a vaccine. It is recommended that healthcare workers be vaccinated against vaccine preventable diseases including hepatitis B. The study objective was to determine the prevalence and determinants of hepatitis B vaccination among healthcare workers in selected health facilities in Lusaka. METHODS: The study took place in seven health facilities across Lusaka district in Zambia. A total sample size of 331 healthcare workers was selected of which; 90 were nurses, 88 were doctors, 86 were laboratory personnel and 67 were general workers. A self-administered structured questionnaire was given to a total of 331 healthcare workers. Investigator led stepwise approach was used to select the best predictor variables in a multiple logistic regression model and all analyses were performed using STATA software, version 12.1 SE (Stata Corporation, College Station, TX, USA). RESULTS: Only 64(19.3%) of the healthcare workers were vaccinated against hepatitis B, with 35 (54.7%) of these being fully vaccinated and 29 (45.3%) partially vaccinated. Analysis showed that; age of the healthcare worker, sharp injuries per year and training in infection control were the variables that were statistically significant in predicting a healthcare worker's vaccination status. CONCLUSION: It is reassuring to learn that healthcare workers have knowledge regarding hepatitis B and the vaccine and are willing to be vaccinated against it. Health institutions should bear the cost for vaccinating staff and efforts should be made for appropriate health education regarding hepatitis B infection and its prevention. Establishment of policies on compulsory hepatitis B vaccination for healthcare workers in Zambia is recommended.

Needlestick and sharp injuries among health care workers in saudi hospitals: a review

This paper explains Needlestick and Sharp Injuries among Healthcare Workers in Saudi Hospitals. Presently there are number of factors that are responsible for health care workers injuries. Lack of secure environment and ignorance to safety measurescan lead to injuries due to Needlestick and Sharp objects. There is a significant need of providing better working environment for health care workers in Saudi Arabia. Following daily practices and World Health Organization’s measures for taking the preventive steps for these injuries is necessary. Trying to avoid utilizing needles whenever secure and efficient substitutes are present, providing needle containers, avoiding re-capping and wearing gloves on both hands are some of the measures that could be taken to make sure these problems do not recur.

Needlestick accident resulting in occupational transmission of HCV: report of two cases

Occupational transmission of hepatitis C virus (HCV) through needlestick injury is a serious problem worldwide. Occupational transmission of HCV is estimated at an average rate between 0.5% and 0.75%. There are factors associated with increased risk of transmission, such as deep injuries, procedures involving hollow-bore needle placement in the source patient’s vein or artery, and high HCV RNA titer in the source patient. We describe two cases of HCV seroconversion in nursing assistants after different risk needlestick injuries...

Occupational exoosures to body fluids and behavors regarding their prevention and post-exposure among medical and nursing students at a Brazilian public university / Exposicoes ocupacionais a fluidos corporais e comportamentos em relacao a sua prevencao e pos-exposicao entre estudantes de medicina e de enfermagem de universidade publica brasileira

A cross-sectional study was conducted to assess the frequencies and characteristics of occupational exposures among medical and nursing students at a Brazilian public university, in addition to their prevention and post-exposure behavior. During the second semester of 2010, a self-administered semi-structured questionnaire was completed by 253/320 (79.1%) medical students of the clinical course and 149/200 (74.5%) nursing students who were already performing practical activities. Among medical students, 53 (20.9%) suffered 73 injuries, which mainly occurred while performing extra-curricular activities (32.9%), with cutting and piercing objects (56.2%), in the emergency room (39.7%), and as a result of lack of technical preparation or distraction (54.8%). Among nursing students, 27 (18.1%) suffered 37 injuries, which mainly occurred with hollow needles (67.6%) in the operating room or wards (72.2%), and as a result of lack of technical preparation or distraction (62.1%). Among medical and nursing students, respectively, 96.4% and 48% were dissatisfied with the instructions on previously received exposure prevention; 48% and 18% did not always use personal protective equipment; 67.6% and 16.8% recapped used needles; 49.3% and 35.1% did not bother to find out the source patient's serological results post-exposure; and 1.4% and 18.9% officially reported injuries. In conclusion, this study found high frequencies of exposures among the assessed students, inadequate practices in prevention and post-exposure, and, consequently, the need for training in “standard precautions” to prevent such exposures.

Estudo transversal foi realizado para verificar, entre estudantes de medicina e de enfermagem de universidade pública brasileira, as frequências e características de exposições ocupacionais e seus comportamentos na prevenção e pós-exposição. Durante o segundo semestre de 2010, questionário autoaplicável e semiestruturado foi completado por 253/320 (79,1%) estudantes de medicina do curso clínico e por 149/200 (74,5%) estudantes de enfermagem que já exerciam atividades práticas. Entre os estudantes de medicina, 53 (20,9%) sofreram 73 acidentes, que ocorreram principalmente em atividades extracurriculares (32,9%), com objetos pérfuro-cortantes (56,2%), na sala de emergência (39,7%) e em decorrência de despreparo técnico ou distração (54,8%). Entre os alunos de enfermagem, 27 (18,1%) sofreram 37 acidentes, que ocorreram principalmente com agulhas ocas (67,6%), no centro cirúrgico ou enfermarias (72,2%) e em decorrência de despreparo técnico ou distração (62,1%). Entre os alunos de medicina e de enfermagem, respectivamente, 96,4% e 48% estavam insatisfeitos com orientações previamente recebidas de prevenção de acidentes, 48% e 18% nem sempre utilizam equipamento de proteção individual, 67,6% e 16,8% reencapam agulhas usadas, 49,3% e 35,1% não se preocuparam em conhecer os exames sorológicos do paciente-fonte pós-exposição e 1,4% e 18,9% relataram o acidente oficialmente. Em conclusão, neste estudo verificaram-se altas frequências de exposições entre os estudantes avaliados, práticas inadequadas na prevenção e pós-exposição e, consequentemente, a necessidade de treinamento nas “precauções padrão” para prevenção de tais exposições.

Accidente laboral en alumnos del internado rotatorio de la carrera de medicina de la UNNE / Occupational accident to students Rotating Internship Career UNNE Medicine

Resumen La exposición a material biológico es el más frecuente de los riesgos que corren los trabajadores de la salud, y enconsecuencia los estudiantes del internado rotatorio. El presente estudio propone el análisis de las características de los accidentes producidos por contacto con material biológico en alumnos del Internado Rotatorio de la carrera de Medicina de la Facultad de Medicina de la UNNE.Estudio descriptivo retrospectivo de corte transversal en base a las declaraciones de los alumnos que sufrieron exposición accidental a sangre y fluidos. De 400 cursantes, 25 denunciaron accidente laboral. Con mayor frecuencia se produjeron en Servicios de Emergencias, lesiones de tipo punzocortantes y contacto con sangre. Como medida de bioseguridad exclusiva se utilizaron guantes. La mayor parte de los encuestados desconocía las pautas postexposición. La mayoría de los estudiantes notificó el hecho, pero gran parte no tomó medidas al respecto. La toma de muestras para serología fue mínima, y el porcentaje de estudiantes que recibió tratamiento quimioprofiláctico post exposición fue aún menor. Por todo ello creemos fundamental insistir con diferentes estrategias en la concientización a los alumnos,jerarquizando la prevención y las pautas a seguir en caso de producirse el accidente.

Summary Exposure to biological material is the most frequent risk for the health workers, and the rotating internship studentstoo. This study proposes the review of characteristics of accidents caused by contact with biological material in studentscoursing what we call “Internado Rotatorio” at the UNNE School of Medicine.Retrospective descriptive study of cross-section based on statements by students who suffered accidental exposureto blood and other fluids.Among 400 students, 25 reported work- accidents. This event happened most frequently in Emergency Services, bysharp and contact with blood-like lesions. They used gloves as the exclusive biosecurity measure. Most of the studentsreported the fact, but not all of them took any action in this regard. Sampling for serology was minimal, and thepercentage of students receiving prophylaxis post exposure treatment was even lower. Because of this, we believe essentialto insist with different strategies awareness to students, structuring prevention and guidelines to be followedin case of this kind of accident.

La exposição a material biológico é o mais frequente dos riscos para dos trabalhadores da saúde estão expostos e, portanto,os alunos de estágio rotativo. O presente estudo propõe uma análise das características dos acidentes causadospor contato com material biológico em alunos do internato rotativo da Carreira Médica da faculdade de Medicinada UNNE.Estudo descritivo retrospectivo de secção baseado em declarações de estudantes que sofreram exposição acidentala sangue e fluidos. De 400 alunos, 25 relatou acidentes relacionados com o trabalho. Com mais freqüência ocorreuem serviços de emergência, afiada e contato com sangue, como lesões. Luvas foram usadas como medida de biossegurançaexclusiva. A maioria dos entrevistados sabem padrões pós-exposição. A maior parte dos estudantes relatouo fato, mas não tomaram nenhuma medida nenhuma ação quanto a isso. Amostragem de serologia era mínima, e apercentagem de alunos recebem tratamento de exposição do quimioprofiláctico post foi ainda menor.É por isso que consideramos essenciais para insistir com consciência de estratégias diferentes para estudantes, estruturaçãode prevenção e orientações a seguir em caso de acidente.

Factors Related to Sharp Injuries among Medical Staff and Standardized Management / 中华医院感染学杂志

OBJECTIVE To investigate the factors related to sharp injuries of medical staff and explore the standardized occupational safety management model. METHODS According to the recent 4-year registration of 66 cases of medical staff suffered from exposure to sources of blood-transmitted diseases because of sharp injury,a retrospective investigation was taken and the relevant factors were analyzed. RESULTS Operating room and transfusion room had a high incidence of sharp injury,36.4% and 9.1%,respectively. It occurred frequently in treatment of the morning hours (45.5%). As lack of occupational safety prevention and awareness of the standardized preventive measures,there was a high incidence in lower stage clinical medical staff and interns (60.6%). CONCLUSIONS It is necessary to pay attention to the occupational safety standardized management of sharp injuries for medical staff in order to promote medical professional safety.

Sharp Injuries among Medical Workers in Operating Department:A Survey Analysis and Countermeasures / 中华医院感染学杂志

OBJECTIVE To investigate the status of the sharp injuries among medical workers in operating department and explore the countermeasures for the occupational protection.METHODS The status of the sharp injuries was investigated retrospectively from Jul 2006 to Jun 2007 used a self-designed questionnaire among 255 medical workers in three grade 2A hospitals in Tongcheng city.RESULTS Among the medical workers 63.14% suffered sharp injuries.Furthermore,the proportion of sharp injuries among doctors,nurses and nurse students were 46.67%,80.00% and 92.73%,and the sharp injuries rate was closely associated with the working years.The type of sharp injuries was closely associated with occupation.The proportion of reporting sharp injuries among doctors,nurses and nurse students was 38.57%,87.50% and 3.92%,respectively.The proportion of taking on gloves among doctors,nurses and nurse students was 88.0%,80.0% and 16.37% when they worked in contact with blood or body liquid.CONCLUSIONS The medical workers meet the danger of sharp injury.Nurse students and new medical workers have high incidence of the sharp injury,so they are high-risk subjects who should enhance their safeguard procedures.Thus,perfecting the operating protocols and standardizing the managements of occupational prevention and protection could reduce the sharp injuries rate.