Investigating the Frequency and Related Factors of Needle Stick Injuries among Students of Fasa University of Medical Sciences-Fasa-2017

Occupational injuries are considered as the most common work-related risk factors among the medical sciences students. Medical sciences students are mostly exposed to needle stick injuries and sharp objects when training in the clinical environment due to lack of enough experience. This study aimed at investigating the frequency of these injuries and the related causes of its occurrence among the students in various disciplines of medical sciences.

This descriptive cross-sectional study was performed on the students of Fasa University of Medical Sciences in 2017. All medical, nursing, operating room, anesthesiology, and medical emergencies students were recruited to this stud using census method. Then, a questionnaire was distributed among them. The data collection tool in this study was a researcher-made questionnaire consisting of two parts of demographic characteristics and the related causes of the occurrence of injuries. After completing the questionnaire by the students, data management and analysis was performed using statistical tests and SPSS 22.

The results of this study showed that 74 students (24.3%) had reported being injured caused by sharp objects at least once over their studying period of time. Twenty-six students (35.1%) described their carelessness as the main cause of the injuries. Intramuscular injection with 20 cases (27%) was the most important procedure leading to needle stick exposure. Chi-square statistical test showed that there was a statistically significant difference between the frequency of injuries caused by sharp objects and gender, so that the exposure frequency was more reported by the male students (P <0.05).

The results showed that injuries caused by needle stick and sharp objects are high in medical sciences students. Due to this high prevalence, in educational programs, and especially in the clinical setting, accurate and precise training and arrangements are highl recommended with the emphasis on safety measures. Also, the use of personal protective equipment (PPE), before and during working with the patient is essential for medical sciences students. In addition, due to disability of injured students, making a planning program for training them about the potential risk of these injuries is necessary.