[Prevalence of needlestick injuries among the healthcare professionals in Zahedan medical sciences university]

ABSTRACT

Injury by sharp instruments and needles are major occupational health hazard for healthcare workers. This study was conducted to determine the prevalence rate and causes of injuries due to needle stick in healthcare workers in Zahedan University of Medical Sciences. In a cross-sectional study, 231 healthcare workers of university hospitals of Zahedan University of Medical Sciences were selected at random in 2007. Data were collected through questionnaire and were analyzed by SPSS 13. From all cases 77.1% were female 56.4% of them were expert, and 50.7% were nurses. Their mean age were 34 +/- 8.1 years. Needle stick prevalence was 64.9% during the whole history of career, and 57.2% of them had experiences of needle stick more than twice. Most cases of injuries were related to using needle 55.4%, and they were mostly prone to injury during injection and phlebotomy, 55.6%. The multivariate regression analysis showed that injury due to sharp instruments in university graduates was 60% less compared to those with high school or less, and the injury risk increases 5% in each year of increase in working experience. The findings of this study highlight the importance of training and preventive measures in healthcare centers particularly among high risk group