Needle stick injury and HIV risk among health care workers in North India

Munish Ashat; Vikas Bhatia; Sonia Puri; Meenal Thakare; Vipin Koushal

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Journal article

Needle stick injury and HIV risk among health care workers in North India

Munish Ashat, Vikas Bhatia, Sonia Puri, Meenal Thakare and Vipin Koushal

Indian journal of medical sciences, Vol.65(9), pp.371-378

09/2011

PMID: 23508479

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Abstract

To determine the occurrence of needle stick injuries among various categories of health care workers (HCWs), the causal factors, and the circumstances under which these occur. 2. To explore the possibilities of measures to prevent these through improvement in knowledge, attitude, and practice. The study was conducted in two government tertiary level hospitals. Study sample comprised 107 HCWs, providing medical care in two government tertiary level hospitals of Chandigarh. Subjects were enquired about their exposure to needle prick injuries during patient management in the last 6 months and also the action taken following exposure. The statistical tools employed were: ratio, proportions, and other basic methods of data interpretation. The study among 107 HCWs included 27 doctors (25.2%), 68 nurses (63.5%), and 12 paramedics (11.2%), with 87 (81.3%) being females. The prevalence of needle stick injury and exposure to blood was reported by 73 (68.2%) participants. The main factor ascribed for this exposure was heavy patient load (42.5%). The maximum accidents occurred during emergency care (30.1%). Most common action following exposure was cleaning with spirit (46.3%). Only 51 (47.7%) of HCWs admitted following universal precautions. Among those exposed, only 10 (13.7%) persons had undergone HIV testing. Two-thirds of HCWs were exposed to needle stick injuries. Lack of awareness about post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) was found.

Adult

Female

Follow-Up Studies

Health Personnel

HIV Infections - epidemiology

HIV Infections - prevention & control

HIV Infections - transmission

Humans

India - epidemiology

Male

Middle Aged

Needlestick Injuries - epidemiology

Occupational Exposure - adverse effects

Post-Exposure Prophylaxis

Retrospective Studies

Risk Factors

Young Adult

Details

Title: Subtitle: Needle stick injury and HIV risk among health care workers in North India
Creators: Munish Ashat - BLOCK
Vikas Bhatia - BLOCK
Sonia Puri - BLOCK
Meenal Thakare - BLOCK
Vipin Koushal - BLOCK
Resource Type: Journal article
Publication Details: Indian journal of medical sciences, Vol.65(9), pp.371-378
PMID: 23508479
ISSN: 0019-5359
eISSN: 1998-3654
Language: English
Date published: 09/2011
Academic Unit: Internal Medicine
Record Identifier: 9984359693502771

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