Frequency of Needle Wound Injury (Needle-stick) and Its Related Factors in Nursing Staff in Sirjan in 2020

Nurses are exposed to blood-borne infections such as hepatitis B (HB), hepatitis C (HC), and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) through needle-stick injuries (NSIs).

This study aimed to determine the prevalence of needle sticks and their related factors among nurses in the hospitals of Sirjan.

In this cross-sectional study, 312 nurses were enrolled by census. Data were collected using demographic characteristics and a needle-stick information questionnaire. Descriptive and analytical tests (chi-square or Fisher’s exact test and logistic regression model) were used to analyze data.

Out of 312 nurses participating in the study, 189 (60.6%) had experienced NSIs during the last year. The most common objects for NSIs were syringes and needles (35.4%), and the most common cause of NSIs was recapping (45.4%). In this study, 82% of needle-stick nurses were forced to work overtime. Ages of 20 - 29 years (odds ratio (OR) = 3.94, 95%CI: 1.12 - 13.84; P = 0.032), work experience between 5 - 10 years (OR = 2.50, CI: 1.12 - 5.57; P = 0.02), HB vaccination (OR = 0.26, CI: 0.07 - 0.98; P = 0.04) were significantly associated with rates of needle-sticks.

Due to the high frequency of NSIsamongthe nursing staff and to reduce these injuries, using safety devices, especially in the emergency ward, providing a calm and stress-free environment for staff, reducing the number of night shifts and workload, teaching safety principles and standards to young nurses and supporting nurses who experience NSIs were advised.