NEEDLE STICK INJURIES AMONG STAFF NURSES IN A TERTIARY CARE HOSPITAL OF CENTRAL INDIA

Background: Percutaneous injuries caused by needlesticks, pose a significant risk of occupational transmission of bloodborne pathogens. Their incidence is considerably higher than current estimates, and hence a low injury rate should not be interpreted as a non existent problem. Aims and Objectives: To Study prevalence of needle Stick injuries among staff nurses during patient care and some factors influencing the prevalence of needle stick injury. Methods: Study design- Cross sectional Study, Study setting – Tertiary care hospital in Nagpur. Study duration Aug 2009 to Feb-2011, Sample size – 450 Staff nurses working in hospital involved in patient care directly. Using interview technique information regarding needle stick injury (NSI) was recorded in predesigned and pretested proforma. Data was analysed using STATA software. Results: Mean age of Staff nurse was 44.63 + 7.90 years. Maximum nurses were posted in Medicine 18.22%, Surgery (15.56%), OBGY (12.22%). OT 11.78%) and Pediatrics (10%). Mean duration of service is 19.48 + 7.77 years The case incidence of NSIs was 31.78% (143/450). The total number of episodes of NSIs among respondents was 341 (range: 1-5 episodes) with incidence rate of episodes i.e. 2.39 per person/Year among them. The causal devices in 215 cases (63.64%) were hypodermic needles and the main causes of percutaneous injuries with hypodermic needles were during injecting drugs (38.4%) and handling sharp wastes (32.9%). Conclusion: Nurses working in Govt Medical College and Hospital Nagpur are frequently exposed to blood-borne infection. NSIs were highly prevalent in these nurses therefore more intensive education programs should be directed at nurses to increase their awareness of and compliance with universal precautions (UP). We recommend a surveillance system and a center for managing injured persons