Prevalence of needlestick injuries among health-care workers in iranian hospitals: An updated systematic review and meta-analysis

Prevalence and associated factors of needle stick and sharp injuries among nurses: A cross-sectional study

Objectives

Workplace safety is essential to occupational health practices among healthcare providers, especially for nurses vulnerable to work-related hazards such as needle stick and sharp injuries. In Yemen, the underestimation and absence of reporting system and lack of health supplies in a collapsed health system exacerbated the needle stick and sharp injuries. This study aimed to identify the prevalence and associated factors of needle stick and sharp injuries among nurses in Taiz, Yemen.

Methods

A cross-sectional study was conducted on a sample of 151 nurses working in three public hospitals in Taiz City. A semi-structured questionnaire was designed and delivered to the participants.

Results

The prevalence of needle stick and sharp injuries among nurses was very high (95.36%), and around half were injured more than five times. Female nurses and those in an emergency department were more likely to be subjected to needle stick and sharp injuries (p = 0.018 and 0.021, respectively). Needle stick was the most common cause of injury (62.77%), and the fingers were the most exposed injury site (79.17%). Non-reporting injuries were very high (73.61%), and only one-third (34.21%) of them proceeded in the process of management, and less than one-quarter (23.68%) had been vaccinated.

Conclusion

The prevalence of needle stick and sharp injuries among nurses in Taiz was very high, and determined by gender and place of work. Post-injury reporting and precautions were poor, which may increase the prevalence of hospital-acquired infections among clients and healthcare providers.

Prevalence of needle stick and its related factors in Iranian health worker: an updated systematic review and meta-analysis

Background

Healthcare workers (HCWs) are at risk of acquiring blood-borne infections such as hepatitis B, hepatitis C, and human immunodeficiency virus through needlestick injuries (NSIs). We aimed to investigate the prevalence of needlestick injuries and other related indicators among HCWs in Iran through a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Methods

We searched various databases until the end of May 2023 for studies reporting the prevalence of NSIs among healthcare workers in Iran. We used a random model with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) to analyse the data and the Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) tool to evaluate the quality of included studies. We conducted and reported the study according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) statement.

Results

We included 87 studies in the analysis and found that 47% (95% CI = 42-52, I2 = 98.9%) of Iranian HCWs experienced NSI. NSIs were most frequently related to syringe needles (58%; 95% CI = 52-65, I2 = 96.8%) and most often caused by recapping (30%; 95% CI = 22-38, I2 = 98.5%). In this study, 56% (95% CI = 45-67, I2 = 98.6%) of HCWs with NSIs did not report their injury. Moreover, the prevalence of NSIs the highest in the morning shift (0.44; 95% CI = 0.36-0.53, I2 = 97.2%), emergency unit (0.20; 95% CI = 0.16-0.24, I2 = 93.7%), and intensive care unit (0.20; 95% CI = 0.16-0.24, I2 = 94.3%).

Conclusions

To reduce the high prevalence of NSIs, HCWs, especially those in emergency departments, should use safety equipment. Healthcare managers should provide a calm and stress-free environment for HCWs, educate them on safety principles and standards, and support experienced HCWs with NSIs.