Unsafe injection practices in Hodeidah governorate, Yemen

ABSTRACT

Unsafe injection practices are a major public health problem and can lead to the transmission of blood borne pathogens, including hepatitis B virus [HBV], hepatitis C virus [HCV] and human immunodeficiency virus [HIV]. The present study was conducted to determine the nature and magnitude of unsafe injection practices in healthcare facilities in Hodeidah governorate, Yemen. The study was conducted in two hospitals and a representative sample of the governorate's health centers. A total of 1600 injections were observed in these facilities. This study revealed several unsafe practices, particularly the recapping of needles after use, which occurred in 61.1% and 36.8% of the observations in the hospitals and the health centers, respectively. This study showed that most healthcare workers [HCWs] followed the proper injection protocols but performed some procedures that exposed themselves and the community to the risk of needlestick injuries [NSIs] and blood borne infections