Evaluation of Needlestick and Sharp Injuries, Contributing Factors, and Preventive Measures Among Nursing Students
Aylin Palloş, Kevser Demirca, Sinem ÖzkanObjective: This study evaluates the frequency of needlestick and sharp injuries (NSI), the contributing factors, and the preventive measures among nursing students. Material and
Methods: This descriptive study's population consisted of all second, third, and fourth-year students enrolled in the nursing department of a health sciences faculty during the 2018-2019 academic year (N=577), while the sample consisted of 280 students who volunteered to participate. The ethics committee and institutional approvals were obtained. Data were collected using the “Student Information Form' and analysed with the SPSS 29.0 programme.
Results: It was found that 95.4% of the students who participated in the study received education related to NSI, mostly from school orientation programmes (88.2%) and various courses given at school (43.6%). It was determined that 16.8% (n=47) of the students were exposed to NSI during their undergraduate education, and injuries mainly occurred during clinical practise (95.7%) and in internal medicine clinics (57.4%). It was found that 48.9% of the students were injured in their first year, and 63.8% had been exposed to needlestick and sharps injuries at least once. The most common device causing injury was a syringe needle (63.8%), and 68.1% had taken protective measures before the injury, with the most common precaution being gloves (59.6%). Injuries frequently occurred while breaking the ampoules (55.3%) and when trying to remove the needle cap (34.0%). The most common response after injury was washing the area with soap/water or disinfectant, and students often reported the injury to a friend or nurse. The leading causes of the injuries were carelessness (51.1%) and rushing (27.7%).
Conclusion: This study highlights that needlestick and sharps injuries among nursing student injuries, which require attention. Based on these results, it is recommended that education on the importance and prevention of needlestick and sharps injuries be emphasised.
