The Prevalence of Needlestick and Sharps Injuries among Health Care Workers in Hamadan, Iran

Introduction & Objective: Needlestick and sharps injuries (NSSIs) is an important occupational risk among health care workers (HCWs) and it is an important cause of transmission of blood-borne pathogens to this population. The aim of this study was to determine the rate of NSSI among HCWs in the teaching hospitals in Hamadan. Materials & Methods: This cross-sectional study was carried out on 700 HCWs between 2009 and 2010. A questionnaire was designed for data collection. Questionnaires were distributed in 5 hospitals to collect self-reported NSSI in the past 12- months. Results: The rate of accidental NSSI was 24.1% for one year prior the study. Totally, 83.6% of the participants had a full vaccination course against hepatitis B. The majority of NSSIs occurred in the 30-34 age group (33.3%) and most of them were female. Also, 48.5% of NSSIs were during blood sampling or IV catheter insertion. Conclusion: Developing appropriate educational programs regarding prophylactic tasks, disposal of medical wastes, and using safe needle devices can reduce the risk of NSSIs among HCWs.