Study on Epidemiology of Needle Stick Injury Among Nursing Personnel of Kerman University Hospitals. Kerman Iran in

Nursing personnel are exposed to various occupational hazards while caring for patients. Needle stick injuries constitute major occupational risks that cause transmission of blood borne diseases such as HIV hepatitis B and C. A cross-sectional study was conducted among nursing personnel of Kerman University Hospitals. The data was analyzed by SSPS 12. The incidence rate of needle stick injuries among nursing personnel was 33 percentages (128 cases) in a year and incidence density was 68 injuries per 100 person–years (265). 29.6% of injuries were occurred in surgery wards. 23.6% in intensive cares wards 23.6% in internal wards and 20.9% in emergency wards. Venopuncture and recapping were the most important procedures of needle stick among nursing personnel (28.3% and 25.4% respectively). 63.9% of nursing personnel had received full dose hepatitis B vaccine and 66.9% of them tested for anti-hepatitis B surface antigen after full vaccination.38.3% of injured nursing personnel had appropriate post-exposed care and 69.5% of them were not reported. The incidence of needle stick injuries among nursing personnel is high. The effective methods for reducing this problem can be: education of nursing personnel increased observation of universal precaution improved administrative support and enhanced reporting of cases.