Precautionary measures awareness regarding Needle Stick Injuries among Health Care Workers of Public and Private Hospitals in Hyderabad.

Abstract

Background: Needle stick injuries are amongst the most common occupational hazards and potential source of transmission of to more than 20 fatal blood borne infections including Hepatitis B&C and HIV etc.

Objectives: To ascertain the awareness of HCWs regarding needle stick injuries in public and private sector hospitals as well as to compare this awareness in both public and private sector healthcare facilities.

Methods: A cross sectional survey was conducted in public and private sector hospitals in Hyderabad, Pakistan from May 2019 to October 2019. HCWs include; nursing staff, midwives, Operation Theater and Intensive care unit technicians were interviewed. Data was collected using written questionnaire. Data was analyzed using SPSS ver. 23.

Results: Two hundred healthcare workers were participated in this study. Majority (53%) of participants belongs to private  sector  hospital. Moreover, 53*/o of them were aware of the precautionary measures of NSIs. Maximum (53*/o) of participants don't not use surgical trays to keep syringes while 58% do not use needle cutter for disposing used needles. There was a statistically significant difference p value < 0.05 in awareness level of HCWs in public and private sector hospitals.

Conclusion:  It is concluded  from the present study that a notable number of nursing staff in both public and private health sectors suffer from needle stick injuries. Healthcare workers from the public sector suffer most from such injuries and have lower awareness level regarding precautionary measures of needle stick injuries.