A Study of the Frequency of Occupational Injuries and Knowledge of Standard Precautions among Laboratory Staff and Nurses

Hepatitis B and C and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection are a serious health issue in Iran. Knowledge of the designed standard precautions can reduce occupational injuries which result in the transmission of these viruses. This study was conducted to determine the rate of occupational injuries and awareness of the standard precautions among laboratory staff and nurses of Dehaghan and Shahreza, Iran.
This cross-sectional study was conducted on 77 laboratory staff and nurses of governmental centers affiliated to Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Iran, who were selected through census method. A researcher-made questionnaire was used to assess knowledge of standard precautions and occupational injuries. Data were analyzed using descriptive indices, and chi-square and Mann-Whitney tests in SPSS software.
Findings: None of the subjects had awareness of Standard precautions at adequate level. The findings showed that 15.6% and 84.4% of subjects had a medium and poor level of knowledge. In this study, a significant association was found between gender and immunization against hepatitis B (P Given the low level of awareness and frequent recurrence of injuries such as the needlestick injury, cutting and scratching of the skin, and etcetera in the subjects, an integrated and consistent planning for training on the standard precautions seems necessary.