Needle-Stick and Sharp Injuries among Hospital Healthcare Workers in Saudi Arabia: A Cross-Sectional Survey

Adil Abalkhail, Russell Kabir, Yousif Mohammed Elmosaad, Ameen S. S. Alwashmi, Fahad A. Alhumaydhi, Thamer Alslamah, Khalid A. Almoammar, Yasir Ahmed Alsalamah and Ilias Mahmud
Additional contact information
Adil Abalkhail: Department of Public Health, College of Public Health and Health Informatics, Qassim University, Al Bukairiyah 52741, Saudi Arabia
Russell Kabir: School of Allied Health, Faculty of Health, Education, Medicine and Social Care, Anglia Ruskin University, Chelmsford CM1 1SQ, Essex, UK
Yousif Mohammed Elmosaad: Department of Public Health, College of Applied Medical Sciences, King Faisal University, Al Hufuf 36362, Saudi Arabia
Ameen S. S. Alwashmi: Department of Medical Laboratories, College of Applied Medical Sciences, Qassim University, Buraydah 52571, Saudi Arabia
Fahad A. Alhumaydhi: Department of Medical Laboratories, College of Applied Medical Sciences, Qassim University, Buraydah 52571, Saudi Arabia
Thamer Alslamah: Department of Public Health, College of Public Health and Health Informatics, Qassim University, Al Bukairiyah 52741, Saudi Arabia
Khalid A. Almoammar: Department of Pediatric Dentistry & Orthodontics, College of Dentistry, King Saud University, Riyadh 11545, Saudi Arabia
Yasir Ahmed Alsalamah: Department of Surgery, Unaizah College of Medicine and Medical Sciences, Qassim University, Unaizah 56434, Saudi Arabia
Ilias Mahmud: Department of Public Health, College of Public Health and Health Informatics, Qassim University, Al Bukairiyah 52741, Saudi Arabia

IJERPH, 2022, vol. 19, issue 10, 1-10

Abstract: Needle-stick or sharp injuries (NSIs) are critical occupational hazards for healthcare workers. Exposure to blood and body fluids through NSIs increases the risk of transmission of blood-borne pathogens among them. The objectives of this study were to estimate the annual incidence of NSIs and investigate the associated factors of NSIs among the healthcare workers in Saudi Arabia. A cross-sectional online survey was conducted between October and November 2021. A total of 361 healthcare workers participated in the survey from all over Saudi Arabia. The one-year incidence of at least one event of NSIs among the healthcare workers is estimated at 22.2% (95% CI: 18.0, 26.8). More than half of the injury events (53.8%) were not reported to the authority by the healthcare workers. Incidence of NSIs was highest among the physicians (36%) and was followed by nurses (34.8%), dentists (29.2%), and medical technologists (21.1%). The odds of NSIs was higher among the healthcare workers aged 26–30 years compared to the 20–25 years age group (OR: 2.51; 95% CI: 1.04, 6.03), as well as among the workers who directly dealt with needles or other sharp objects while working compared to those who did not (OR: 5.9; 95% CI: 2.69, 12.97). The high incidence and low rate of reporting of NSIs highlights the need of education and awareness raising programs targeting healthcare providers with higher risk of injury.

Keywords: needle-stick or sharp injuries; hospital-acquired infection; biological hazards; infection control (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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