Tibbi-i-kar

Introduction: Occupational infection with blood borne pathogens is a major public health problem in the world and despite this fact, needle stick injuries are not important for many health care workers and they don’t follow them. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of injury with needle and cutting objects in the service personnel of educational hospitals in Yazd.

Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional analytical study was conducted in educational hospitals in Yazd. 170 service personnel were enrolled in this study. Data were collected using a questionnaire included demographic and background data, history of the injury with a needle or cutting objects and information on knowledge, attitude and performance of injury with a needle. Data were analyzed by SPSS software using Student's T test and logistic regression analysis.

Results: In this study, 45.5% of the personnel had experienced at least one injury with sharps; 78.1% of people reported that after exposure to these injuries, have visited a doctor. Comparison of knowledge in two groups showed that knowledge in subjects with injury was lower than subjects without injury. Although perceived risk in the group with injuries was more than the group without complications, but this difference was not significant. Needle stick injuries were lower in people with higher work experience than those with less experience.

Conclusion: Needle stick injuries were high in hospital service personnel. To prevent these injuries, educational programs should be a priority.