A Study Of Occupational Exposure To Needle Stick Injury & Body Fluids Among Health Care Workers In A Tertiary Care Hospital In India - A Cross Sectional Study

Abstract

Objective Health care workers who are exposed to needles, patients blood and body fluids in their clinical activities are at increased risk of acquir­ing needle stick injuries which may lead to serious or fa­tal infection with blood-borne pathogens such as hepa­titis B virus, hepatitis C virus human immunodeficiency virus.

Methodology A cross sectional study was carried to assess the Occupational exposure to needles, patients’ blood and body fluids among a random sample of 271 health care workers of various categories including interns ,residents ,staff nurse ,technicians and sweepers in SVNGMC Yavatmal from May 2016 to August 2016.All study participants were interviewed with the help of an anonymous, self-reporting structured questionnaire; after taking informed consent.

Results Distribution of Health care workers by occupational exposure in which interns (87.65%), residents 39 (73.58),staff nurse56 (86.15) , Technicians 49(90.74)were maximally exposed to needle stick injuryAmong all health care workers maximum no. of technicians (26.87%) had OE within last 1 month.Max no. of residents (85.57%)were using personal protective measures at the time of their last OE.Most of the events ofoccupational exposures occurred while recapping a needle (44.65%)

Conclusions In the present study the proportion of needle stick injuries was more among the health care personnel. Overall the prevalence of NSIs among health care workers was 80.44%, out of which maximum among staff nurses and recapping was the most common procedure during which most of injuries occurred.