Analysis of job-related risks faced by hospital nurses

The aim of this study was to analyze the job-related risks nurses face during training such as needlestick injuries, contaminated blood and infectious fluids. From May to July 2003 we conducted a survey of a sample of 242 nurses who were working in the the Pediatric Hospital, Government Hospital, the Training Hospital of Celal Bayar University, the Gynecology Hospital and the Psychiatric Hospital in Manisa City in Turkey. Two hundred sixteen nurses (89.3%) had needlestick injuries and 107 (44.2%) had injuries by contaminated cutting utensils. A total of 104 nurses (43.0%) used gloves, while 65 (26.9%) used gloves and mask. In medical and surgical staff nurses, injuries due to contaminated cutting utensils were statistically significant (p < 0.05). Awareness of accidents was significant between the two groups (p < 0.05).