Knowledge, awareness, and practices regarding needlestick injury among health-care workers in a tertiary care hospital

Knowledge, awareness, and practices regarding needlestick injury among health-care workers in a tertiary care hospital of India: Annual incidence versus reporting rate: Shahna Ali, Manazir Athar, Lubna Zafar, Obaid Ahmad Siddiqi



International Journal of Health & Allied Sciences 2020 9(1):45-50



INTRODUCTION: The objective of this study was to assess the knowledge and awareness regarding needlestick injury (NSI) among health-care workers (HCWs) in a tertiary care hospital.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: This cross-sectional observational study was conducted among HCWs of a tertiary care hospital, India. A predesigned closed-end questionnaire, which assessed knowledge and awareness about NSI, immunization status, and management of NSI, was the tool of data collection.

RESULTS: A total of 104 HCWs participated in the study. The annual incidence of NSI was 29.80% (n = 104), whereas only 35.48% (n = 31) of these NSI cases or 10.58% (n = 104) of total HCWs reported to the concerned authority. The causes of underreporting were ignorance about contacting authority (70%), busy schedule (15%), and nonsignificant (10%). Recapping was considered as the most common cause of NSI in 31.7% followed by “haste” in 28.8%. All the HCWs received vaccination against hepatitis B; however, only 71.2% got 3 doses and booster, but only 60% knew about their protective antibody level. Unprotected sexual contact and sharp injury were known to all as the route of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) transmission, whereas blood transfusion as a source of HIV was known to 98%.

CONCLUSION: The knowledge of health-care professionals on NSIs and their preventive measures is adequate; however, training on the universal precautions guidelines and the use of safe devices has to be delivered to prevent such injuries. The importance of timely reporting and following protocols regarding postexposure prophylaxis needs emphasis. There is an urgent need for re-strengthening and expanding our knowledge of HIV transmission routes in the hospital. Awareness and importance of hepatitis B immunization status need more attention.