Résumé
To assess knowledge, attitude and practices about needle stick Injuries in health care workers. Hospital based study carried out at Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences, Islamabad, from August 2010 to November 2010. A self administered 19 items questionnaire was prepared which contained information about needle stick injuries, its awareness, frequency of injury and the protocols that were followed after an injury had occurred. These questionnaires were given to 500 health care workers working in different wards and theaters of the hospital after obtaining their informed written consent. The health care workers included doctors, nurses and paramedical staff of Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences, Islamabad. The data was entered and analyzed using SPSS version 15. A total of 500 health care workers filled the questionnaire and returned it. Out of these 416[83.2%] reported ever experiencing needle stick injuries in their professional life. Health care workers working in Emergency department were most frequently affected [65%] followed by those working in different wards [27%] and operation theatre [8%]. Most [93.6%] workers had knowledge about needle stick injuries and only 6.4% were not aware of it. Needle stick injury occurred from a brand new [unused] syringe in 51.2% cases, while in 32.8% cases, the needle caused an injury after it had been used for an injection. In 5% cases, injury occurred with blood stained needles. The commonest reasons for needle injury in stick injuries were heavy work load [36.8%] followed by hasty work [33.6%] and needle recapping [18.6%]. About 66% health care workers were already vaccinated against hepatitis B. Only 13% workers followed universal guidelines of needle stick injuries and no case was reported to hospital authorities. Health care workers had inadequate knowledge about the risk associated with needle stick injuries and do not follow standard preventive measures. A standard protocol regarding the training and compliance to follow preventive measures should be followed in all health care institutions