Burden of needle stick injuries among healthcare workers in primary health centers of Mandya district, Karnataka

ABSTRACT

Background: Needle stick injuries (NSIs) are wounds caused by sharps such as hypodermic needles, blood collection needles, intravenous cannulas or needles. The health care workers (HCW’s) are at an increased risk of accidental needle stick and sharps injuries, because of the environment in which they work. About 30 diseases like hepatitis B, hepatitis C, HIV can be transmitted by NSI. The incidence of NSI is considerably higher than current estimates, due to gross under-reporting. The objectives of present study was to determine the burden of NSIs among various categories of health care workers (HCWs) at primary health centres (PHC’s) of Mandya district, to determine the factors influencing NSIs and to assess awareness regarding NSIs among various categories of HCWs. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted at PHC’s of Mandya district for a period of 6 months. Interview method was used to collect information regarding socio demographic details, occurrence of NSI, factors influencing NSI and awareness regarding NSI by using a pretested semi-structured questionnaire on HCWs. Results: Of the 621 HCWs working during the study period, 366 participated in the study. 93 (25.41%) of the HCWs had at least one episode of NSI in the past 1 year. The common category of HCWs who experienced NSI was the medical officers 39 (41.94%). Majority 48 (51.61%) of NSI’s occurred while vaccine/drug administration followed by withdrawing of drug from the bottle 23 (24.73%). The medical officers and staff nurses had better knowledge regarding the diseases spread through NSI. Conclusions: Among the HCW’s, doctors and nurses are more prone for NSI. Vaccine/drug administration and withdrawing of drug from the bottle are circumstances where NSIs commonly occur hence education regarding safe injection practices are necessary.