Frequency of vaccination and exposure to needle-stick sharp injuries among a group of nurses in Turkey: a meta regression analysis

ABSTRACT

To determine the prevalence of needle stick sharps injuries [NSSIs] and the frequency of vaccination, and to determine the risk of exposure to hepatitis B virus [HBV] and hepatitis C virus [HCV] infections. We found 14 NSSIs-related studies conducted between January 1996 and January 2006 in Turkey. Out of those, 10 studies selected according to systematic review were related to vaccination. Analyses were prepared using a Meta Regression Analysis. In 14 case-control studies, the rate of NSSIs among nurses for the last year was found to be 64%. The frequency of injury among nurses aged 30 and below when compared to that of nurses aged 31 and over was 1.071-fold higher. The frequency of vaccination among nurses in the age of 30 and under was 1.01-fold lower when compared to those in the age of 31 and over. We conclude that the prevention of NSSIs through education and training of nurses, especially younger nurses, is of great importance