Needle Stick Injury among Health Care Workers in a Government Teaching Hospital, Mandya

Introduction: Needle stick injuries (NSIs) are wounds caused by sharps such as hypodermic needles, blood collection needles, intravenous cannulas or needles. The physicians to housekeeping personnel are at an increased risk of accidental needlestick and sharps injuries, because of the environment in which they work. About 30 diseases like hepatitis B, hepatitis C, HIV can be transmitted by NSI. The incidence of NSI is considerably higher than current estimates, due to gross under-reporting. Objectives: (1) To determine the incidence of NSIs among various categories of health care workers (HCWs), (2) To determine the factors influencing NSIs. (3). To assess awareness regarding NSIs among various categories of HCWs. Methodology: This cross-sectional study was conducted at Government Teaching Hospital, Mandya for a period of 3 months. Interview method was used to collect information regarding socio demographic details, occurrence of NSI, factors influencing NIS and awareness regarding NSI by using a pretested semi-structured questionnaire on HCWs. Results: Of the 509 HCWs working during the study period, 361 participated in the study. 170 (47.1%) of the HCWs had NSI in the past 1 year. The common category of HCWs who experienced NSI were the nurses - 53 (31.2%). The mean frequencies of NSI significantly higher among housekeeping staff. The incidence of NSI per 1000 man hours was more among housekeeping - 2.93. The common place of occurrence of NSI was in the wards - 97 (57.1%); followed by operation theatre - 20 (11.7%). The doctors and interns had better knowledge regarding the diseases spread through NSI. Conclusions: The housekeeping staff tends to have less knowledge regarding NSI and is more prone to NSI. Ensuring the safety during handling of biomedical waste could prevent more than half the injuries.