The Incidence and Reporting Rates of Needle-Stick Injury Amongst Surgeons of Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences, 2012

Introduction & Surgeons are one of the high-risk groups who are at the risk of injury from sharp objects at their workplace. This study was aimed to determine the prevalence and reporting rates of needle-stick injury amongst surgeons affiliated to Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences during 6 months of 2012. In a cross-sectional descriptive-analytic study، 29 surgeons were recruited for this study by the census sampling method. A valid and reliable questionnaire was used for data collection. Data was analyzed by using SPSS-16 software and descriptive and analytic statistics including Chi-squared test and Mann-Whitney U. Of the 29 selected surgeons، 5 (17. 2%) had a needle-stick injury during the last 6 months. Only 1 of the 5 (20%) who has suffered from a needle-stick injury، had followed the established confined plan. The most common cause of needle stick injuries was suture needle (60%). There were a statistically significant differences between needle-stick injury and sex (P=0. 003، X2=5. 612)، the numbers of patients (Z=2. 40، P=0. 016) and the amount of working hours per day (Z=2. 85، P=0. 004) in both injured and non injured groups. Considering the relatively high prevalence of needle-stick injury among the surgeons and their neglect of reporting and tracking this issue، it is recommended that needle stick protocols should be completely adhered to in the operating rooms. The tools used for operation should be safe and less risky.