Occurrences and Contributing Factors of Needle Stick Injuries among Nurses at Khyber Teaching Hospital, Peshawar.

Abstract

Background:
Needle stick injuries (NSIs) are one of the most common occupational hazards among healthcare professionals, particularly nurses, exposing them to serious infections such as hepatitis B, hepatitis C, and HIV. The problem is intensified in developing countries due to inadequate safety measures, lack of training, and heavy workloads. Understanding the occurrence and contributing factors of NSIs is crucial for developing preventive strategies and promoting a culture of safety within healthcare institutions.

Aim:
The study aimed to determine the prevalence and contributing factors of needle stick injuries among nurses working at Khyber Teaching Hospital, Peshawar.

Methods:
A cross-sectional quantitative study was conducted over six months using a structured, pre-adopted questionnaire. A total of 145 nurses were selected through convenience sampling. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 23. Descriptive statistics summarized demographic characteristics and NSI frequencies, while inferential analysis identified associations between NSIs and potential contributing factors.

Results:
The findings revealed that 72.4% of participants attributed NSIs to heavy workload and fatigue, 67.6% to lack of safety-engineered devices, and 57.9% to inadequate training. Unsafe practices such as recapping used needles (60%) and poor waste disposal mechanisms (62.8%) were also prevalent. Organizational factors, including lack of infection control supervision (52.4%) and poor environmental conditions (48.3%), further increased risk.

Conclusion:
Needle stick injuries among nurses remain a critical occupational health issue. Enhanced training, improved supervision, availability of safety devices, and implementation of non-punitive reporting systems are essential to reduce NSI occurrence