Study of knowledge, attitude and practice of needle stick injury among nurses in a tertiary care hospital

Background: Needle stick injuries (NSIs) are a hazard for people who work with hypodermic syringes and other needle equipment. These injuries can occur at any time when people use, disassemble, or dispose of needles. Needle Stick and Sharps Injuries (NSSIs) are one of the major risk factors for blood-borne infections. The aim and objectives of the study were to assess the knowledge, attitude, practice and prevalence of NSIs among nurses in a private tertiary care hospital of district Bareilly; to recommended the preventive measure to control the injuries.Methods: A survey has been conducted in August 2013 to February 2014 among the nurses. This is a cross-sectional study. A purposive sampling was done aimed at covering at least 50 trained nurses and 50 nursing students working in a private tertiary care hospital Bareilly.Results: The prevalence of needle stick injuries per year equals 69.0%. Self inflicted were most common among nurses working in the wards. Instruments contaminated with infectious material accounted for the injuries in the study group of nurses.Conclusions: NSSIs are highly prevalent among nurses, and prevention is the most effective way to protect nurses from infectious diseases. The most common cause of injuries from needles was an improper handling of syringes and needles after injections.