Kap study regarding needle stick injuries among nursing college students –a cross sectional study

Introduction: Needle sticks and sharp injuries (NSSI) are identified as one of the occupational hazards in health care workers. NSSI increase risk of spread of diseases like HIV, hepatitis B, hepatitis C. Sharp injuries are a major source of HCV infection among health care workers (HCWS), accounting for 40% of HCV infections. Certain groups of individuals are at greater risk than others because of their nature of work. Numerous studies have found nurses to be the commonest group of health care workers in experiencing needle stick injuries due to their limited clinical experience. The purpose of this study is to know their knowledge and practices regarding needle stick injuries. Methods: A cross-sectional study was carried out in a nursing college in Guntur city in August 2016. Study population constituting II,III, final year students. Self administered pre-tested questionnaire was used for data collection. Data was analyzed using SPSS version 20. Results: The study population constitutes of 70 males and 268 female students form a nursing college in Guntur city. Mean age of the population was 20.5 years. Vaccination of which only 57.8%in final year, 56.5% in IIIyear and 56.6% in IIyear had carried out Anti HBs antibody check up. Knowledge about disease transmitted by NSIs was satisfactory. Though 56% had suffered Needle stick injury (NSIs), 88.7% HCWs know about universal precaution guidelines. Conclusion: Nurses are at high risk of needle stick injuries from syringes and equipment relative to the other health care workers. There is an urgent need for strengthening skills, developing newer competencies and broadening our knowledge in occupational health and safety.