Occupational exposures to sharp injury among Healthcare providers in Ethiopia regional hospitals

<p>Nigussie Tadesse Sharew, Getaneh Baye Mulu, Tesfa Dejenie Habtewold and Kefyalew Dagne Gizachew</p>

Occupational exposures to sharp injury among Healthcare providers in Ethiopia regional hospitals

Nigussie Tadesse Sharew, Getaneh Baye Mulu, Tesfa Dejenie Habtewold and Kefyalew Dagne Gizachew

Debre Berhan university, Ethiopia

: J Nurs Patient Care

Abstract

Background: According to the World Health Organization pooled estimate, the annual incidence of sharps injury in Africa was ranged from 2.10 to 4.68 per person per year, but research data in Ethiopia is limited. The aim of the study was to investigate sharps injury prevalence and associated risk factors Methods: Institution based cross-sectional study was conducted with 200 healthcare providers (HCP) in Northeast Ethiopia. Proportionate stratified sampling was used to select HCP. Sharps injury during the last 12 months was an outcome variable. Data was collected adapting the World Health Organization best practices for injections and related procedures toolkit. Bivariate and multivariate logistic regression analysis was carried out to identify sharps injury associated risk factors Results: In total, 195 HCP participated with a response rate of 97.5%. The prevalence of sharps injury was 32.8%. Following adjustment for covariates health care workers who had no in-service job training (p < 0.001, OR = 4.7, 95% CI = 2. 05–10.56) and HCP who had previous exposure to sharps injury (p-value = 0.002, OR = 3.7, 95% CI = 1.62–8.27) were more likely to experience sharp injuries. Conclusions: This study revealed 32.8% or at least three out of ten HCP exposed to sharps injury. This was found statistically significant among HCP who had no in-service job training and who had previous exposure to sharps injury. Thus, training HCP perhaps increases their skill and curiosity to reduce exposure to sharps injury.