Determination of Needlestick Injuries Related to Bloodborne Pathogens among Healthcare Workers at a Tertiary Care Hospital in Dera Ismail Khan
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Background: Needlestick and sharps injuries (NSIs) are important occupational hazards for healthcare workers because percutaneous exposure may transmit bloodborne pathogens, including hepatitis B virus, hepatitis C virus, and human immunodeficiency virus. Prevention requires safe work practices, training, appropriate protective measures, effective reporting, and timely post-exposure management. Objective: To determine the 12-month prevalence of NSIs and describe bloodborne-pathogen training, awareness, personal protective equipment use, post-injury responses, and surveillance practices among healthcare workers in Dera Ismail Khan. Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study included 280 healthcare workers from District Head Quarter Hospital and Mufti Mehmood Memorial Teaching Hospital using convenience sampling. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire and analyzed in SPSS version 23. Results: Ninety-six participants reported an NSI during the preceding 12 months, giving a prevalence of 34.3% (95% CI 29.0–40.0%). Formal bloodborne-pathogen training had been received by 198/280 (70.7%). NSI prevalence was 32.8% among trained and 37.8% among untrained workers (RR 0.87, 95% CI 0.62–1.22; χ²=0.637, p=0.425). Consistent PPE use was reported by 224/280 (80.0%) and did not differ significantly across professional groups when analyzed as always versus less-than-always use (χ²=2.045, p=0.563). Among 95 injured workers with a documented post-injury response, 54 washed the wound, 23 initiated PEP, and 18 reported taking no action. Conclusion: NSIs affected approximately one-third of surveyed healthcare workers. Training coverage and self-reported PPE use were relatively high, but post-exposure response and institutional surveillance were not universal. Multifaceted prevention incorporating training, safer devices, reporting systems, and standardized post-exposure management is warranted.
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