Knowledge, Attitude and Practices of Needle Stick Injury in Health Care Workers in Various Tertiary Care Hospitals, Lahore
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Abstract
Background: Needle stick injuries are common preventable occupational hazards among healthcare workers and may transmit serious blood-borne infections, including hepatitis B virus, hepatitis C virus, and human immunodeficiency virus. In tertiary-care hospitals, unsafe sharps handling, incomplete vaccination, underreporting, and inadequate post-exposure management can increase occupational risk. Objective: This study aimed to assess the knowledge, attitudes, and practices regarding needle stick injuries among healthcare workers in tertiary-care hospitals of Lahore and to identify gaps in prevention, reporting behavior, hepatitis B vaccination, and post-exposure management. Methods: A cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted among 250 healthcare workers, including doctors, nurses, laboratory technologists, and other allied healthcare personnel, working in selected tertiary-care hospitals of Lahore. Data were collected using a structured self-administered questionnaire covering demographic characteristics, training status, knowledge of needle stick injuries, attitudes toward reporting and prevention, and self-reported safety practices. Data were analyzed using IBM SPSS Statistics version 25 and summarized as frequencies and percentages. Results: Awareness of needle stick injuries was reported by 67% of participants, while 60% correctly identified hepatitis B, hepatitis C, and HIV as transmissible infections. Although 70% considered reporting important and 62% believed NSIs were preventable, unsafe practices remained common. Needle recapping was always practiced by 62%, only 41% had completed hepatitis B vaccination, 56% were aware of post-exposure prophylaxis, and 35% formally reported incidents. Conclusion: Healthcare workers demonstrated moderate awareness and generally positive attitudes toward needle stick injury prevention, but important gaps persisted in safe needle handling, vaccination completion, reporting behavior, and post-exposure response. Strengthening practical infection-control training, complete hepatitis B immunization, non-punitive reporting systems, and clear post-exposure protocols is essential to improve occupational safety
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