Author(s): Manenzhe G.I., Singh, T.

Source: Occup Health Southern Afr. 2024; 30(2):56-62. doi: 10.62380/ohsa.2024.30.2.1

Abstract:

Background: The occurrence of needle stick and sharps injuries (NSSIs) in healthcare settings remains a global concern. Nursing students are at a high risk of being exposed to NSSIs, mainly due to their lack of clinical skills and experience.

Objective: The objective of the study was to estimate the prevalence of NSSIs, and associated risk factors among nursing students.

Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted in 2022 among 142 nursing students from two hospitals in Gauteng province, South Africa. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire. Chi-square tests and binary univariate and multivariable logistic regression were used to examine associations between NSSIs and various factors. Statistical significance was set at p < 0.05.

Results: Sixty-one (43.0%) of the study participants had experienced an NSSI. The majority reported that they had received training on injections and handling of needles (n = 117,82.4%), but nearly half of these trained students experienced NSSIs (n = 53, 45.3%). Instruments most prone to causing NSSIs were needles (n = 48, 75.0%), medication vials (n = 10, 15.6%), and surgical equipment (n = 5, 7.8%). The procedure most commonly implicated in NSSIs was the administration of injections (n = 19, 29.2%). Most of the NSSIs occurred in the surgical (n = 17, 25.8%), medical (n = 14, 21.2%), and maternity (n = 13, 19.7%) wards. Most were superficial (n = 44, 72.1%) and 47.5% (n = 29) of the exposed participants received post-exposure prophylaxis. Study participants who worked for 40 and more than 40 hours per week were 2.59 (95% CI 1.07–6.29, p = 0.036) and 4.52 (95% CI 1.59–12.93, p = 0.005) times more likely to have an NSSI than those who worked less than 40 hours per week, respectively.

Conclusion: There was a high prevalence of NSSIs among the nursing students in this study. Needles, medication vials, and injection procedures contributed to NSSIs. Working for 40 or more hours a week was associated with experiencing an NSSI. Current training procedures for administering injections and handling needles may be ineffective in preventing NSSIs, necessitating re-evaluation of training programmes.

Keywords: occupational injuries, healthcare workers, university students, occupational hazard