Effects of Standardized Protocols to Prevent and Manage Needle Stick Injuries Among Nursing Students at a Private Hospital

Abstract

Background: Needle stick injuries (NSIs) remain a leading cause of occupational exposure to bloodborne infections among healthcare personnel, particularly nurses. In developing healthcare systems, inadequate adherence to standard precautions and insufficient training amplify the risk of hepatitis B, hepatitis C, and HIV transmission. Objective: To evaluate the effect of implementing standardized protocols on the knowledge and practices of nursing students regarding NSI prevention and management. Methods: A quasi-experimental study was conducted among forty final-year nursing students at a private tertiary hospital in Lahore, Pakistan. Participants underwent a structured training intervention based on World Health Organization guidelines. Data were collected using pre- and post-intervention questionnaires assessing knowledge and practice domains and analyzed using paired-sample t-tests with a 95% confidence interval. Results: Mean post-test scores increased significantly by 39.6 points compared with pre-test values (t = −25.08, p < 0.001). Knowledge regarding safe disposal, double-gloving, post-exposure prophylaxis, and disease transmission improved from baseline levels of 14–37% to ≥92.5% across all variables. Conclusion: The implementation of standardized NSI training substantially enhanced nursing students’ knowledge and safety practices. Integrating such interventions into nursing curricula can effectively reduce occupational exposure risk.