ABSTRACT
The aim of this study was to assess the rate of accidental injuries among nurses who are more likely to be in contact with the patients for the transmission of hepatitis B, and to determine risk practices which causes the nurses more liable to accidental injuries. The target population of the study were 100 nurses working at Medical, Surgical Departments, Hemodialysis Unit and Burn Unit in Liver Institute and Shebin El-Koum Teaching Hospital. Questionnaire sheet was used to assess the rate of accidental injuries and determine risk practices which let the nurses liable to accidental injuries, the sheet was designed by the investigators. An observation sheet also was used, it included the main items of infection control in dealing with patient having I.V. or I.M injection. A blood sample was collected from each nurse among sample to route out or to confirm hepatitis infection and to identify the carriers. Results of the study revealed that 77.5% of the sample had hepatitis B virus due to needle stick injuries, 68.6% among sample who are working at the Liver Institute were vaccinated against HBV compared to only 2% of the sample who are working at the Teaching Hospital. Majority of nurses did not follow the principles of asepsis. It was recommended that an inservice training program should be provided to those high risk group, also guidelines should be followed when dealing with hepatitis patient