Assessment of knowledge regarding needle stick injury among health care workers in tertiary care hospital

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Original Article

Author Details : Patil Nagaraj, Metgud Chandra, Narasannarar A

Volume : 4, Issue : 1, Year : 2017

Article Page : 25-28

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Abstract

Background: Needle-stick and sharp injuries present the single greatest occupational hazard to Health Care Workers(HCWs). There are more than 20 blood-borne diseases, but those of primary significance to HCWs are hepatitis B virus (HBV), hepatitis C virus (HCV), and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infections. Needle Stick Injuries (NSIs) have been neglected and most go unreported.
Methodology: A cross - sectional study was conducted among 400 HCWs of two tertiary care hospitals. Data was collected from study participant using a pretested and predesigned questionnaire, which included socio demographic profile and knowledge regarding needle stick injury. Statistical analysis was done using Chi square test and ‘p’ value less than 0.05 was considered significant.
Results: Out of the total 400 study participants, maximum 314 (78.5%) were in the age group of 21-30 years and 247(61.7%) of the HCWs were female. Regarding distribution of study participants by religion 319(79.8%) were Hindu. About 237(59.2%) were staff nurse and 176(44.0%) had completed A.N.M/G.N.M courses, followed by 82(20.5%) who had completed B.Sc Nursing. Most of them 307(76.8%) were having 0-5 years of work experience. The mean(±standard deviation) knowledge score of HCWs regarding needle-stick injuries was 6.8±1.52 and 268(67.0%) study participants had average knowledge score.
Conclusion: The participants had average knowledge score regarding NSI whereas poor and good knowledge score were similarly distributed among HCWs.

Keywords: Needle stick injury, Health care workers, Post exposure prophylaxis

How to cite : Nagaraj P, Chandra M, Narasannarar A, Assessment of knowledge regarding needle stick injury among health care workers in tertiary care hospital. Indian J Forensic Community Med 2017;4(1):25-28

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