Publication: Sharps Injuries among Nurses in a Thai Regional Hospital: Prevalence and Risk Factors
Accepted Date
2011-08
Issued Date
2011
Resource Type
Language
eng
ISSN
1077-3525
Rights
Mahidol University
Bibliographic Citation
International Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine. Vol.2, No.4 (2011), 215-223
Suggested Citation
Honda M, Masanori Honda, J Chompikul, Jiraporn Chompikul, Rattanapan C, Cheerawit Ratanapan, Wood G, Klungboonkrong S Sharps Injuries among Nurses in a Thai Regional Hospital: Prevalence and Risk Factors. International Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine. Vol.2, No.4 (2011), 215-223. Retrieved from: https://repository.li.mahidol.ac.th/handle/20.500.14594/1537
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Title
Sharps Injuries among Nurses in a Thai Regional Hospital: Prevalence and Risk Factors
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Abstract
Background: Sharps injuries (SIs) are one of the most serious occupational accidents
among nurses due to the possible severe consequences, such as the transmission of infectious
diseases and inducing of mental impairment.
Objective: To discover the prevalence of SIs among nurses in a regional hospital in Thailand
and to identify factors associated with SIs.
Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in 2011. Stratified random sampling was
used to select the respondents, with wards as the strata and the number of nurses selected
proportional to the size of the ward nurse population. 261 self-administered questionnaires
were distributed to nurses who used needles, syringes or other sharp medical equipment
in their work. Data were analyzed using chi-square tests, correlation analysis and multiple
logistic regression analysis.
Results: The prevalence of SIs for the previous 12 months was 55.5% among the 250
nurses who returned a completed questionnaire. Of these, 91.1% were with blood. Needles
(52.8%) were the main cause of SIs. The reporting rate of SIs to the hospital was 23.8%.
SIs had a significant association with each of marital status, work duration, work department,
attitude regarding SI prevention, and preventive management. Using multiple logistic regression
analysis, attitude was found to be the strongest predictor of SIs when adjusted for other
factors. Nurses who had negative attitudes towards prevention of SIs were nearly two times
more likely to have SIs than those with positive attitudes (adjusted odds ratio=1.86; 95%
CI: 1.03–3.38).
Conclusion: The study showed a high prevalence of SIs, but a low reporting rate. This suggests
the reporting system requires simplification and also should include a quick response
management component. Promoting positive attitudes to SI prevention, and improving the
reporting system would reduce SIs.