Prevalence of Needle Stick Injuries Among Nurses in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia

Abstract

Purpose: Needle-stick injuries (NSIs), sharp tools, and other devices that penetrate the skin are considered occupational hazards for health workers. The most dangerous pathogens in the blood are transmitted through contaminated needles. Thus, this study aimed to investigate the prevalence and associated factors related to NSIs among nurses in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. Patients and Methods: A quantitative cross-sectional descriptive study design was used. A total of 219 nurses working in a hospital in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, were recruited for this study. All registered nurses and adult, male, and female nurses working in general and critical care units were included in this study. Data were collected using an online questionnaire. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics using IBM Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) version 23. The chi-square test was used to identify variables associated with NSI. Results: The prevalence of NSIs among nurses in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, was 19.7%. Conclusion: NSIs are the most dangerous pathogens transmitted through the blood between health workers. The prevalence of NSIs was 19.7%. Thus, nurses need to be provided with educational training on how to prevent NSIs.