Needle stick injuries: knowledge and practice among nurses in kingdom of Saudi Arabia

Every day while caring for patients, nurses are at risk to exposure to bloodborne pathogens potentially resulting in infections such as HIV or hepatitis B and C from needle stick injuries [NSI]. The level of risk for acquiring blood-borne infections depends on the number of patients with that infection in the health care facility and the precautions the health care workers perform while dealing with these patients. In Saudi Arabia, hepatitis B and C viruses pose a great threat to health care workers because of their high prevalence rate [8%-10% and 2%-6%] respectively, while HIV has a much lower prevalence rate 0.13%. Ninety Two nurses working at King Fahd University Hospital [KFUH], Al Khobar, Eastern Province, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia constitute the study subject. Astructured questionnaire was used to collect data related to vaccination status, history of exposure to NSI, knowledge regarding biological hazards, preventive measures and post exposure program and an observational checklist was used to assess nursesI competencies in using universal precautions. Results showed that more than half were between 20 to less than 30 years of age, 54.3% were non Saudi, all studied sample held a BSc in Nursing, work experience ranged from one year to 15 years and 85.9%were vaccinated against hepatitis B virus. Also, 11.9% of nurses with less than 5 years experience and 17.4% of nurses with more than 5 years experience had NSI at least once, While more than third 36.4%of those with more than 5 years experience and more than half 56.25% of those with more than 5 years experience report the incidence. Both Saudi and non Saudi nurses [90.5%, 94%] respectively possessed poor knowledge regarding diseases transmitted by NSI, universal precaution, measures to be carried out after NSI, and safer needle devices. Moreover, 50% of Saudi nurses possessed good practice score while 40% of non Saudi nurses possessed good practice score, this difference in total practice score between Saudi and non Saudi nurses regarding their competency in universal precautions is not statistically significant. The total practice score of universal precautions is better than the total knowledge score regarding diseases transmitted by NSI, universal precaution, measures to be carried out after NSI, and safer needle devices among nurses and this difference was statistically significant. The findings of the present study emphasize the importance of increased awareness, training and education of nurses for reporting and prevention of needle stick injuries and risks associated with occupational exposure to blood borne pathogens

Impact of an instructional scheme on diabetic patients knowledge and skills related to insulin self injection

Education is critical to effective, safe management of patient with diabetes. It is the responsibility of all health professionals but nurses have a special role in empowering patients to maintain the normality of their lives. Diabetic patients need knowledge and skills, nurses are ideally placed to help them confidently and safely manage their conditions throughout their lives. The purpose of the study is to evaluate the effect of the instructional scheme upon adult diabetic patient's insulin self injection. Fifty three adult diabetic patients who receive insulin were included in the study. A structional questionnaire and observational checklist were used two times. The first was to assess the patient's knowledge and performance of self-injection to determine the baseline data and educational needs. The second time was used two months after the last session of instruction scheme to evaluate the instruction scheme outcome. It was found that there was a great improvement of the studied sample in relation to knowledge and practice related to insulin self injection. Continuous education and motivation are needed for the maintenance of safe insulin therapy