Knowledge, Attitude and Practice of Nurses in Preventing Needle Stick Injuries During the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Survey Study

Sharps injuries are a threat to the nursing community during the COVID-19 pandemic. This study was conducted to evaluate the knowledge, attitude and practice of nurses working in Shahid Mostafa Khomeini Hospital in Ilam towards the prevention of injuries caused by sharp and sharp objects in 2020.

This descriptive-analytical study was conducted among 157 nurses working in Shahid Mostafa Khomeini Hospital in Ilam. The study sample were included by census method. Data collection tool was a researcher-made questionnaire consisting of 54 questions. The validity of the questionnaire was assessed by experts' opinions and approved (CVR > 0.54). The reliability of questionnaire was confirmed by using Cronbach's alpha method (0.74, 0.78 and 0.78 for knowledge, attitude and practice alternatively). Data analysis was performed using SPSS software by independent t-test, one-way analysis of variance and linear regression. Ethical considerations were taken into account throughout the study.

In this study, the mean and standard deviation of nurses’ knowledge, attitude and practice were 6.41(± 1.94), 31.76 (± 6.09) and 18.85 (± 6.50), respectively. There were significant differences in nurses’ knowledge according to the age, duration of employment, employment status, vaccination history, previous training and place of work. Also, there were significant differences in attitude according to place of work; and practice according to duration of employment, place of work, and degree of education (P<0.05).

Due to the poor knowledge, attitude and practice of nurses of Ilam Shahid Mostafa Khomeini Hospital towards injuries caused by sharp objects, it is necessary to plan and implement an intervention in order to improve nurse’s knowledge, attitude and practice. Designing and continuous presentation a set of appropriate trainings for nurses, requiring nurses to be vaccinated against hepatitis B, establish an accurate and credible reporting system, and as well as principles of ergonomics in the workplace can be used as the necessary solutions in this area.