Prevalence and Risk Factors of Needle Stick Injuries Among Student Nurses at Tertiary Care Hospital in Peshawar Khyber Pukhtankhwa

Abstract

Background: Needle stick injuries pose a significant occupational risk for student nurses due to inexperience and frequent exposure to sharp instruments during clinical training, potentially leading to serious infections such as HIV and hepatitis. This study aims to determine the prevalence and identify risk factors associated with needle stick injuries among student nurses in tertiary care hospitals of Peshawar, KP.

Methodology: A cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted among 175 undergraduate nursing students in three major tertiary care hospitals of Peshawar. A convenience sampling technique was used, and data were collected through a structured questionnaire. Data analysis include descriptive statistics

.Results: The study revealed that 68% of student nurses experienced needlestick injuries (NSIs) during clinical postings, predominantly among females aged 21 to 25. Most reported experiencing NSIs once, with the primary causes being disposable needles (19.4%), IV cannula needles (17.1%), and blood collection needles (16.0%). There was significant under-reporting, as only 29.7% reported their injuries. Contributing risk factors included inadequate training, lack of supervision, and insufficient use of protective equipment, with many students also not-vaccinated against hepatitis B and tetanus.

Conclusions: NSI incidents are prevalent among student nurses due to factors like inadequate training, lack of experience, and insufficient PPE usage. The study calls for targeted interventions to prevent these injuries, recommending regular training programs, better supervision, and safe needle handling practices along with vaccination coverage for all students.