IMPACT OF NEEDLE STICK INJURIES ON STUDENT NURSES AT KTH HOSPITAL, PESHAWAR, PAKISTAN
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.55197/qjssh.v4i4.280Keywords:
needle sticks injury, student nurses, prevalence, knowledge, healthcare workers, screeningAbstract
Needle stick injury (NSI) is a significant hazard in healthcare settings that poses a potential risk of transmission of blood-borne diseases. This cross-sectional study aims to determine the prevalence of NSI among student nurses in a tertiary care hospital in Peshawar and their knowledge about NSI prevention and control. The data collected through structured questionnaires, and the sample size was 147. The results showed 37% of students had experienced NSI during the last six months, while 70% were vaccinated and 75% were screened against HBS, HCV, and HIV. The study emphasizes the need for further training, workshops, and close supervision to prevent NSI complications and enhance safe practices during healthcare services. The positive effect of free vaccination and government attention to increasing the strength of nurses to control the increasing rate of NSI is also highlighted. Due to lack of proper supervision by trained staff, student nurses often suffer from needle stick injuries during their practical work. Patients may admitted to the hospital already contaminated with communicable diseases, and their beds are not labeled to indicate this. Exposure to NSIs can cause fear, insecurity, and low self-esteem in student nurses. There are many psychological consequences associated with NSIs, such as fear, anxiety, and depression. Student nurses are at substantial risk for NSIs because they often perform invasive procedures with minimal knowledge and experience. Education and awareness-raising about NSI prevention and reporting have been shown to positively impact previous studies. Observational studies conducted in Pakistan have recommended that nurse students receive further education to reduce the incidence of NSIs, as they are often deprived of advanced knowledge and experience. A lack of staff in hospitals can contribute to NSIs as nurses may ignore their safety while performing their duties. Two-handed recapping is responsible for approximately 80% of needle stick injuries.
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