Study on knowledge, attitude and practices among health care workers on needle stick injuries in Hospital Tengku Ampuan Afzan (HTAA)

Needle stick and sharp injuries (NSSIs) are dangerous and are frequently reported injuries among health care workers (HCW). These injuries expose them to infectious disease pathogens such as Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C and Human Immunodeficiency Virus that can cause death. The physicians, nurses, medical students and other health care workers are highly exposed to needle stick injuries. Standard precautions are available for all the workers and students’ safety purposes. Every case is compulsory to be reported but some are under reported. This represents a missed chance for initiating post exposure prophylaxis, early detection of seroconversion and implementation of prevention strategies. This research aims are to assess the knowledge, attitude and practices among health care workers on needle stick injuries and to study occurrence and response to needle stick injuries among health care workers in Hospital Tengku Ampuan Afzan, (HTAA). This research is based on data obtained from a survey questionnaire based on two sections. Section A based on demographic characteristics of health care workers whereby section B based on knowledge, attitude and practices of health care workers of biological hazards and preventive measures regarding needle stick injuries. The data was analysed using simple descriptive test and Chi-square test to evaluate and determine the (KAP) studies which are knowledge, attitude and practices of health care workers on needle stick injuries. The research showed that the occurrence of needle stick injuries was found to be a quite common and significantly high among nurses compared to the other job category in Hospital Tengku Ampuan Afzan, (HTAA). As a conclusion, prevention of needle stick injuries is an integral part of prevention programs in the working environment and training of health care workers regarding safety practices indispensably needs to be an on-going activity at a hospital.