Knowledge and Practices of Jordanian Nurses on Needlestick Injuries. Issue 1 (January 2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Abozead, Shalabia El-Sayead; Abuhasheesh, Mohammad; Nawafleh, Hani; Kawafha, Mariam M.; Al-Tarawneh, Omar
• Is Part Of: Infectious diseases in clinical practice. Volume 23:Issue 1(2015:Jan.)
• Publication Date: 2015-01
• Subjects: Communicable diseases -- Periodicals; Communicable Diseases -- Periodicals; Communicable diseases; Periodicals; Periodicals; Electronic journals; 616.9
• DOI: 10.1097/IPC.0000000000000159
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1056-9103

Abstract

<abstract> <title> <x xml:space="preserve">Abstract</x> </title> <sec> <title>Background</title> <p>Healthcare workers are exposed to a range of factors related to diseases as well as infectious organisms. They are also exposed to needlestick injuries (NSIs) due to a lack of common and uncertain reporting system. The NSIs are a potential hazard for healthcare workers that were recognized as a serious risk factor for transmitting diseases by exposure to needlesticks contaminated with blood-borne pathogens.</p> </sec> <sec> <title>Aim</title> <p>The aim of the present study was to determine the frequency and occurrence of NSIs and determinants in nursing care in selected hospitals in Jordan.</p> </sec> <sec> <title>Methods</title> <p>This study used a cross-sectional design. It was conducted in 2 types of Jordanian hospitals: governmental and private. A total of 210 Jordanian nurses were recruited to participate in the study. Data were collected using a questionnaire that included demographic variables, NSIs during work, and causes.</p> </sec> <sec> <title>Results</title> <p>Results showed that the mean (SD) age of participants was 32.4 (7.21) years. Approximately 67% of the participants had less than 5 years of experience. Most of the participants (75.5%) had an NSI. Sixty-one percent did not attend any training program about infection control; 12.2% had a positive immune status (Hepatitis B surface antigen, anti-Hepatitis C virus, and anti-human immunodeficiency virus), and 48% did not know it. More than half of the injuries (53%) to nurses occurred during recapping of a needle. Forty-seven percent of injured nurses did not report the injury to anyone. Approximately half of the nurses (48%) did not report (NSIs) to anyone, do not want to admit NSI to a supervisor, and were not concerned about NSI either.</p> </sec> <sec> <title>Conclusions</title> <p>The frequency of NSIs among nursing care workers is high, and reporting is low. It needs to be further investigated. Special interventions such as in-service training of nurses on infection control measures, standardized treatment after exposure, and follow-up are necessary.</p> </sec> </abstract>