Needle sticks injuries among heath care workers in emergency medical centers in Tehran University of Medical Sciences Hospitals (2007-2010)

Today، Needle Stick Injuries (NSI) are very important occupational hazards experienced by healthcare workers lead to exposure to blood-borne viruses especially hepatitis B، hepatitis C and HIV. The aim of this study was to determine needle sticks injuries among heath care workers in emergency medical centers in Tehran University of Medical Sciences hospitals (2007-2010) In this descriptive study 991 heath care workers worked in emergency wards in Tehran University of Medical Sciences hospitals were followed for needle stick events from 2007 to 2010. Sampling method was census. Data were collected by a researcher-made questionnaire consisted of 32 questions included demographic variables and NSI included the event that leads to needle stick injuries. Content and face validity and also test-retest reliability (r = 0/71) were measured and data was analyzed by SPSS 16. The study population reported 167 needle stick injuries during the study period (167 heath care workers exposure group، 554 heath care workers not exposure group). Incidence rate of NSI was 16/85%. Majority of subjects in exposure group were female (50/89%)، married (52/69%) and nurse (53/2 %) and also the mean age was 35/3 6/4. In most cases، needles (55/08%) and vein catheter (22/75%) were responsible for injuries. IV access (24/7%) and recapping of needles (23/3%) were most common action resulted to exposure. There weren''t statistically significant different in demographic variables except working experience between exposure groups and not exposure group. According to the results of this study، incidence rate of NSI among HCWs worked in emergency wards in TUMS less than other studies in different countries. This might be an indication of inadequate reporting. It is suggested that، NSI in hospitals should be managed through obtaining an appropriate reporting system and organizing blood and body fluid exposure surveillance system.