Abstract

Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the knowledge level of nursing and midwifery students on sharp object injuries and determine the factors influencing this knowledge level.

Methods: This research is a descriptive study. The study consisted of 250 students who attended 2nd, 3rd and 4th grades of nursing and midwifery between February 2019 and March 2019 and accepted to participate. Data was collected by using “Student Information Form” and “Attitude Scale for the Safe Use of Medical Sharp Objects by Healthcare Professionals”.

Results: The mean age of nursing and midwifery students was 21.6 ± 2.28. 24.8% of these students were graduates of a health vocational high school. 43.6% of the students stated that they had been injured by a sharp object and 57.8% of them had been injured while preparing the medicine. 64.2% of the students had needlestick injury and 31.2% of them were injured by a pharmaceutical vial. After injury, 61.5% of the students had washed the injured area with plenty of water and soap and 11% of them had reported the incident to the health institution. 78.8% of the students stated that they had been trained about the use of sharp objects and 83.3% of those who received this training stated that they took it during formal education. The lowest score won by the participants in the “Attitude Scale for the Safe Use of Medical Sharp Objects” was for the affective subheading. 

Conclusions: It is recommended to maintain and develop students’ attitudes on this subject and to support them with continuing education programs.