The effectiveness of a multimedia training program on incidence of occupational exposure to contaminated sharp tools among nurses

Health workers are threatened by injuries caused by the insertion of sharp medical devices (Needle Stick Injury) contaminated with patients ' blood and body fluids. The purpose of this study was to explore the effect of a multimedia training program on the incidence of occupational exposure of nurses to contaminated sharp tools in a university hospital in 2009. In an experimental study, 120 volunteer nurses, working in a university hospital was randomly assigned to either experimental group or control group. The experimental group received a multimedia training program for prevention of exposure during two weeks but the control group did not receive any training. All subjects completed the occupational exposure and knowledge questionnaires during 4 months before and 4 months after intervention. After data collection, mean standard deviation, paired t-test and chi-square were used for data analysis. Significant level of P< 0. 05 was accepted. in the experimental group, the incidence of occupational exposure to contaminated sharp tools decreased (p<0. 05) but in the control group, this change was not significant (p>0. 05). Also the mean score for knowledge in the experimental group improved significantly from 8. 05 to 14. 1 (p<0. 05) but the increase in the mean score of knowledge in control group from 8. 30 to 8. 98 (p=0. 33) was not significant. The knowledge and performance of the experimental group regarding occupational exposure to contaminated sharp tools improved. Continuous education is recommended.