Abstract

Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the incidence of sharps injuries (SI) in a second-level hospital, types of injuries, associated risk factors, and related knowledge and attitudes of personnel.

Methods: This study was designed as a survey study applied between June 1 and June 15, 2016. Face-to-face interviews were performed using a questionnaire prepared by the researchers. The questionnaire included 21 questions related to sociodemographic data, viral serology outcomes, and occupational injuries. Study data were transferred to IBM SPSS Statistics for Windows. Version 22.0 (Statistical Package for the Social Sciences, IBM Corp., Armonk, NY, USA) statistical software, and a p<0.05 considered="considered" significant.="significant." statistically="statistically" value="value" was="was">

Results: A total of 97 health care personnel participated in the study and the participation rate in the study was calculated as 64.67%. Of the participants, 67 (69.1%) were women; the mean age was 39.4±5.07 years; and the mean period of service was 17.6±6.48 years. The rate of participants experiencing SI was 53.6%, and it was observed that 86.1% of 108 injuries were due to injectors. The most commonly preferred attitudes were washing the wound and having tests for possible contaminants. The rate of SI notification was 68%. Of the personnel, 78.4% stated that they had received training for occupational injuries. Of the participants, 62.9% knew their anti-HBs results. When the factors associated with experiencing SI within the last 2 years were evaluated, significant differences were found between age (p=0.036) and SI training.

Conclusions: The lack of the staff’s up-to-date knowledge needs to be resolved quickly, and necessary measures must be taken to transform information into practice. 

Cite this article as: Karacaer Z, Diktaş H, Tosun S. [Prevalence of sharps injuries and associated factors among health care workers in a second-level  hospital]. Klimik Derg. 2018; 31(2): 88-93. Turkish.