Epidemiology of needle stick and sharp injuries among health care workers and their relationships with selected demographic data from 2012-2017, at king Hussein medical center, Jordan

Abstract EN

Background : needle stick and sharps injuries (NSSIs) are one of the major risk factors for blood-borne infections at healthcare facilities.

Objectives : this study examined the prevalence of needle stick sharps injuries among health care providers at king Hussein medical center from 2012-2017, and determine their relationships with some demographic data.

methods : a retrospective chart review analysis of 386 needle stick sharp injuries report of cases from 2012 to 2017 was referred to preventive medicine department at king Hussein medical center for prophylactic and management follow up.

Results : in this study, 386 patients with needle stick injuries were referred to preventive medicine department.

more than half (54%) were males and about half of the injuries (52.2%) occurred in the hospital wards.

the highest needle stick injuries were among house keepers 131 (33.9%), followed by nurses 188 (48.7%).

the most common site of injury was the left hand (47.1%).

only 25.1% completed 3 doses of immunization (hepatitis b vaccine).

the commonest sites of injuries were in the upper limbs (89.8%).

conclusions and recommendations: needle stick injuries are still important occupational hazards' in hospitals.

health education is one of the major important tools to minimize these hazards.

other future studies are recommended to determine the cause of needle stick injures, to prevent or reduce them.