Risk factors assessment of needle-stick injury among the healthcare workers of Alzahra Hospital, Isfahan, Iran

Abstract

Background: Occupational exposure to body fluids, and consequently the blood-borne infections, is an important risk to healthcare workers. Needle-stick injury (NSI) causes occupational injuries, and imposes heavy health, as well as psychological and economic burdens on the individual, health system and community. In this study, we evaluated the risk factors of NSI in Alzahra hospital, the largest hospital of Isfahan City, Iran. Methods: This case-control study was carried out on 200 healthcare workers of Alzahra hospital affiliated to Isfahan University of Medical Sciences (100 cases and 100 controls). A total of 100 employees with NSIs were selected as cases and compared with 100 of those who had not NSIs as controls. Job content questionnaire (JCQ), job factors (job title, work experience, shift work, employment status, and department of activity), and NSIs characteristics (exposure severity, type of procedure, type and characteristics of tools) were asked and compared between the groups. Findings: There was a significant association between left dominant hand (P = 0.020), and history of participation in educational classes (P = 0.010) with NSIs. Highest rate of needle-stick was among nurses (72 in controls vs. 65 in cases), those with rotational shifts (80 in controls vs. 72 in cases), and those with less than 15 years of work experience (52 in controls vs. 46 in cases); but the differences were not statistically significance (P > 0.050 for all). Logistic regression analysis showed that social support odds ratio (OR) = 0.85, P < 0.001), psychosocial demand (OR = 1.07, P = 0.001), gender (OR = 0.44, P = 0.010), the dominant hand (OR = 0.52, P = 0.040), and participation in educational classes (OR = 0.24; P = 0.005) were risk factors of NSIs. Conclusion: Participating in training classes by healthcare worker can play a crucial role in preventing NSIs. Attitude to skill, decision-making power, physical activity, and social support have a significant relationship with NSIs, and should be planned comprehensively in health care centers. © 2019, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences(IUMS). All rights reserved.