Prevalence study of needle stick injuries in the Alexandria main University Hospital | ||
| Microbes and Infectious Diseases | ||
| Articles in Press, Accepted Manuscript, Available Online from 09 November 2025 | ||
| Document Type: Original Article | ||
| DOI: 10.21608/mid.2025.376929.2717 | ||
| Authors | ||
| Ghada Abdel wahid Ismail1, 2; Nesrin Fathi Hanafi3; Eman sami Foda4; Ayman Mohamed Maaly5; Amira Samir Ibrahim baz* 3 | ||
| 1Department of Clinical Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, Ain Shams University, Cairo, Egypt. | ||
| 2Reference Laboratory of the Egyptian University Hospitals (RLEUH), Egypt. | ||
| 3Medical Microbiology and Immunology Department, Faculty of Medicine, Alexandria University, Egypt | ||
| 4Public Health, Preventive and Social Medicine Department, Faculty of Medicine Alexandria University, Egypt | ||
| 5Anesthesia and Surgical Intensive Care, Faculty of Medicine, Alexandria University, Egypt | ||
| Abstract | ||
| Background: Needle stick injuries (NSIs) are among the most hazardous occupational risks for healthcare workers worldwide, with about two million healthcare workers (HCWs) experiencing occupational exposure to sharp injuries each year. In addition to having a major negative psychological and financial impact on affected healthcare professionals, NSIs raise the risk of blood-borne diseases. Aim: This study was conducted to assess healthcare workers’ self-reported needlestick injuries or sharp’s injuries, based on data documented by the Infection Prevention and Control Unit in Alexandria Main University Hospital (AMUH) and the circumstances associated with the reported incidents. Methods: a descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted in AMUH during the year (2022-2023) using notification forms obtained from the registry of Infection Prevention & Control Unit. Results: Of the 273 HCWs reported events, NSIs were responsible for the majority (88.3%). Roughly one-third of these incidents occurred during the suturing process, and 11.6% of HCWs reported recapping used needles. All HCWs who had been vaccinated with the HBV vaccine had received the recommended doses. Among exposed nurses, the lowest percentage (36.4%) of people had received the full HBV immunization. 2.9% of the population received HBIG, whereas 24.1% of the population received the post-exposure HBV vaccine. 6.6% of patients underwent post-exposure HIV treatment; the majority of these patients were nurses. Conclusion: Frequent needle stick injuries, mainly during suture handling, highlight major NSI concerns in nurses. Strict injection practices, HCW training, strengthened vaccination programs and routine antibody screening are crucial for workplace prevention. | ||
| Keywords | ||
| Needle stick injuries; Healthcare workers; Blood-borne diseases; HBV vaccination | ||
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