Study on prevalence of needle stick injury among health care workers in a tertiary care hospital in New Delhi: A two-year review

The Knowledge, Attitude, and Perception of Needlestick Injuries Among Dental Students in Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia: A Cross-Sectional Survey

INTRODUCTION

Needlestick injuries (NSIs) represent a significant source of bloodborne viruses in the healthcare sector, particularly in dentistry. Developing effective infection control programs necessitates access to surveillance data. A comprehensive evaluation, encompassing human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), hepatitis B virus (HBV), hepatitis C virus (HCV), and serological testing, is crucial due to the potential lack of immediate symptoms in infected patients. It is essential to verify hepatitis B and tetanus immunization statuses and seek guidance from infectious disease experts for post-exposure prophylaxis. Aim and objective: This study aims to assess the knowledge, attitudes, and perceptions of NSIs among dentistry students in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

METHODS

Conducted during the 2023-2024 academic year in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, this cross-sectional study evaluated the knowledge, attitudes, and perceptions of undergraduate dental medicine students regarding NSIs. Ethical approval was obtained, and informed consent was meticulously collected. Before participation, potential subjects were furnished with a comprehensive information sheet outlining the study's purpose, the survey's nature, expected duration, and potential risks or benefits. The document emphasized their unequivocal right to withdraw from the study at any point without any adverse consequences. Data collection relied on an online survey administered to third and final-year dental students selected from specific universities. This selection criterion ensured that participants were directly relevant to the dental education context under investigation. Careful exclusions were made to minimize potential bias, particularly by excluding students from academic years other than the third and final years, thus maintaining a specific focus on this subgroup. Data analysis primarily compared NSI occurrences and awareness based on dental college and academic year. Detailed findings are presented in the results section.

RESULTS

The study unveiled high vaccination rates (95.23%) and significant levels of education regarding bloodborne infections (81.38%) among participants. However, it was noteworthy that 72.72% believed their vaccinations offered complete protection. Only 47.18% believed that wearing surgical gloves reduced the risk of NSIs, while a substantial majority (93.07%) opposed the practice of needle recapping. Moreover, 76.19% demonstrated knowledge of post-exposure prophylaxis, indicating room for improvement in healthcare safety practices. Statistical analysis identified significant associations between the Dental College attended and both NSI occurrence (χ²=12.164, p=0.058) and awareness (χ²=14.629, p=0.023). Conversely, the academic year exhibited no significant relationship with either NSI occurrence (χ²=1.2, p=0.55) or awareness (χ²=0.44, p=0.8). Additionally, the study revealed non-normal distributions for both NSI occurrence (p<0.001) and awareness (p<0.001) among participants.

CONCLUSION

In conclusion, this study underscores the pivotal role of awareness in mitigating NSI occurrences among dental students. Irrespective of their academic year, heightened awareness significantly correlated with reduced NSI incidence. These findings bear significant implications for dental education and practice, emphasizing the imperative need for comprehensive education and awareness initiatives to bolster healthcare safety among dental professionals.

Comparison of knowledge, attitude, and practices regarding needle-stick injury among health care providers

Introduction:

Needle-stick injury (NSI) is one of the most potential hazards for health care workers. They pose a significant risk of occupational transmission of blood-borne pathogens. The present study was done to determine the incidence of NSI among interns and nurses; their knowledge, attitude, and preventive strategies undertaken by the respondents after NSI.

Materials and Methods:

The cross-sectional study was done among interns and nurses in various departments of a tertiary care center in Kerala, India using a self-administered questionnaire.

Results:

The incidences of NSI among interns and nurses were 75.6% and 24.4%, respectively. The most common clinical activity leading to NSI among interns was blood withdrawal (42%) followed by recapping (29%). It was found that nurses had enough knowledge and followed better NSI practices and attitude than the interns.

Conclusion:

All the parameters analyzed were inadequate among the interns, indicating the need for continual awareness programs particularly during the preclinical years.

Occurrence of Needlestick and Injuries among Health-care Workers of a Tertiary Care Teaching Hospital in North India

INTRODUCTION

Occupational hazards such as accidental exposure to sharp, cuts, and splashes are common among health-care workers (HCWs).

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES

To determine the occurrence of self-reported occupational exposures to these hazards and to know the prevalent practices following the exposure. The second aim was to know the baseline antibody levels against hepatitis B virus (HBV), hepatitis C virus (HCV), and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) immediately after these accidents.

METHODS

An observational prospective study was done in the HCWs of a tertiary care academic health organization of North India from January 2011 to December 2013. At the time of self-reporting of injury, a questionnaire was administered. Blood sample of HCWs and of the source, if identified, was collected for baseline HBV, HCV, and HIV serum markers. The exposed HCWs were followed up and repeat testing was done after 3-4 weeks for seroconversion up to 6 months.

RESULTS

A total of 476 injuries were reported. Needlestick injury of fingers was the most common. Doctors were found to have the highest exposure rate (73.7%) distantly followed by nurses (19.1%). A significant number of the HCWs (125, 26.3%) vaccinated in past had hepatitis B surface antibody (anti-HBs) titers <10 mIU/mL (protection defined as anti-HBs level ≥10 mIU/ml). Only 44 sources were found to be seropositive (11 for HIV, 9 for HCV, and 24 for HBV). No seroconversion was seen in any of the exposed HCWs after 6 months.

CONCLUSIONS

The incidence of needlestick and sharp injuries is most often encountered in emergency wards. Anti-HBs titers were suboptimal in many of the HCWs requiring a booster dose of HBV vaccination.

Post Exposure Prophylaxis for Occupational Exposures to HIV and Hepatitis B: Our Experience of Thirteen Years at a Rural Based Tertiary Care Teaching Hospital of Western India

INTRODUCTION

Health Care Workers (HCWs) are at risk of occupational transmission of HIV, Hepatitis B and Hepatitis C, which can be minimized by following guidelines for standard precautions as well as taking Post Exposure Prophylaxis (PEP) measures. There are limited studies from India documenting details of PEP for HIV and Hepatitis B.

AIM

We aimed to study the efficacy, tolerance, details of PEP regimens used among HCWs exposed to HIV and Hepatitis B as well as vaccination status and (Anti-Hepatitis B Surface Antigen) anti-HBS Antibody Titre Level Among HCWs exposed Hepatitis B.

STUDY DESIGN

This retrospective observational study was done at a rural based tertiary care teaching centre of Western India.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Hospital Infection Control Committee of our institute was maintaining a record of all reported incidences of HIV and Hepatitis B positive exposures since 2003. We analysed reported incidences of exposures to HIV and Hepatitis B positive source occurred during the period of January 2003 to December 2015.

RESULTS

Of the total 96 exposures, 48 were to HIV and 48 were to Hepatitis B. Of the 48 exposures to HIV, PEP was warranted in 39. Of 39 exposures, only 14 (35.9%) received PEP within two hours. Basic regimen was used in 22 and expanded in 17 exposures. Only 12 (31.6%) reported side effects to PEP. Zidovudine based regimen was less well tolerated. All side effects were reported by female HCWs only. Of the 48 exposed to Hepatitis B, 33 (68.6%) were completely vaccinated. Out of 33, titre result was not available for eight. Three (12.0%) of remaining 25 were having low titre (<10mIU/ml) of anti-HBS antibody. Five of six with incomplete vaccination status demonstrated anti HBS antibody titre > 100mIU/ml. Of the 48, in 17 (35.4%) incidences no action was required; 23 (47.9%) were managed with booster dose of Hepatitis B vaccine and eight (16.7%) with Hepatitis B immunoglobulin. No cases of sero-conversion was reported either for HIV or Hepatitis B from available data.

CONCLUSION

Inspite of high incidences of exposures to HIV or Hepatitis B positive source, good efficacy of PEP was observed with no sero-conversion. PEP for HIV was well tolerated; female HCWs were less tolerant. Study emphasized the need for creating awareness about timely reporting of incidence, achieving maximum vaccination against Hepatitis B for all HCWs and need for anti-HBS antibody titre.

Knowledge, attitude, and practice of needle stick and sharps injuries among dental professionals of Bangalore, India

Background:

A needle stick injury (NSI) is an accidental skin-penetrating stab wound from a hollow-bore needle containing another person's blood or body fluid. Healthcare workers (HCWs) including dental professionals are at an occupational risk of exposure to blood-borne pathogens following NSIs and sharps injuries (SIs). A thorough understanding of the safe practices while handling needles and sharps is crucial for HCWs to create a risk-free work place environment.

Aims and Objectives:

To assess the knowledge, attitude, practice, and prevalence of NSIs and SIs among dental professionals in a dental college at Bangalore.

Materials and Methods:

A cross-sectional survey was conducted in September 2012 using a structured, pretested, guided interview-based questionnaire that was administered to 200 dental professionals in a dental college at Bangalore to assess the knowledge, attitude, practices, and self-report information of NSIs.

Results:

In the present study, 81.5% of dental professionals were vaccinated against hepatitis B. A total of 27.5% participants had an NSI during the previous 12 months. About 41.80% of NSIs occurred during device recapping. Most common reason for failure to report the incidents of NSIs, as declared by 29.09% of the participants, included the fear of being blamed or getting into trouble for having an NSI.

Conclusion:

The knowledge of dental professionals on NSIs and their preventive measures are inadequate; however, training on Universal Precaution Guidelines, protocols regarding post-exposure prophylaxis, and safety devices has to be provided to prevent such injuries in future among the dental professionals.

Water and sanitation hygiene knowledge, attitude, and practices among household members living in rural setting of India

BACKGROUND

Rural population in developing countries face water, sanitation, and hygiene-related health issues. To objectively highlight these issues, we studied the knowledge, attitude, and practices-related to drinking water and sanitation facilities among the rural population of Chennai, India.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A cross-sectional study was designed involving individuals over 18 years of age living in Thandalam village, Chennai, India. Basic information about sociodemographic profile and existing drinking water and sanitation related knowledge, attitude, and practices was collected using a modified version of previously validated questionnaire and analyzed.

RESULTS

Forty-five percent of the participants were not following any methods of water treatment and among them half of the participants felt that water available to them was clean and did not require any additional treatment. Twenty-five percent of the participants surveyed did not have access to toilets inside their household.

CONCLUSION

There is a need for intervention to educate individuals about drinking water treatment methods, sanitation, and hand washing practices.

Historical epidemiology of hepatitis C virus (HCV) in select countries - volume 2

Chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is a leading cause of liver related morbidity and mortality. In many countries, there is a lack of comprehensive epidemiological data that are crucial in implementing disease control measures as new treatment options become available. Published literature, unpublished data and expert consensus were used to determine key parameters, including prevalence, viremia, genotype and the number of patients diagnosed and treated. In this study of 15 countries, viremic prevalence ranged from 0.13% in the Netherlands to 2.91% in Russia. The largest viremic populations were in India (8 666 000 cases) and Russia (4 162 000 cases). In most countries, males had a higher rate of infections, likely due to higher rates of injection drug use (IDU). Estimates characterizing the infected population are critical to focus screening and treatment efforts as new therapeutic options become available.