Abstract
Background
Needlestick injuries (NSIs) are common injuries that can be a route of transmission of disease from patients to healthcare workers or from healthcare workers to patients. This study determined the prevalence and risk factors of NSIs among healthcare workers (HCWs) at Morgenster Hospital in Masvingo District in Zimbabwe.
Methods
A quantitative, analytical cross-sectional design was used. 135 study participants were selected using purposive sampling method. A self-administered questionnaire designed for the study was used for data collection. Data was entered and analysed using SPSSS version 29 and reported using descriptive and inferential statistics. Chi-square tests and logistic regression were employed.
Results
The lifetime prevalence of NSIs among healthcare workers was 43%, CI (34.9- 52.7). In the last 5 years only, 16% of the HCWs were vaccinated against Hepatitis B. Only 64.8% NSIs were reported. The reporting rates were high among nurses (46.8%) and student nurses (40.4%) whilst general workers did not sustain NSIs. Reported NSIs were highest in Labor and Postnatal ward (21.3%) and Family and Child Health department (FCH) (17.0%). Chi-Square tests showed an association between NSIs and job title (p= 0.050), recapping of needles after use (p = 0.003), and self-reporting of injury (p <0.001). There was a positive correlation between NSIs and self-reporting of the injury (r= 0.72, CI 0.61- 0.80). Workload (70.4%), work experience (88.7%), lack of appropriate waste disposal equipment (96.3%), lack of training in universal precautions (90.8%) were identified as the common risks. On multivariate regression analysis, recapping of needles and reporting of NSIs were predictive of NSIs with AORs of 0.09 (CI: 0.02- 0.44) which was shown to be protective and 13.09 (CI: 5.43- 31.58) at p value less than 0.05 and 95% confidence interval.
Conclusion and Recommendations
The lifetime prevalence of NSIs is high at Morgenster Hospital. This is on the background of low Hepatitis B vaccination coverage, and some HCWs not reporting the NSIs. Recommendations include training in universal precautions, provision of waste disposal equipment, improving documentation of NSIs and advocating for Hepatitis B vaccination.