Prevalence And Determinants Of Needle Stick Injuries At Kenyatta National Hospital, Nairobi Kenya

Abstract

In Kenya, there is little information on Needlestick injuries. In Kenyatta National Hospital (KNH), information on needlestick injuries is not clear yet more than 50% of its workers are exposed to these dangerous but preventable injuries. This was a cross-sectional hospital – based study that investigated the occurrence, risk factors, reporting and prevention of needle stick injuries at KNH. Target population consisted of 2,073 medical staff, 1,242 medical trainees and 768 support staff, all exposed to needlestick injuries in the course of their work from whom a sample of 351 participants was randomly selected each category proportional to its size in the target population. Participation was voluntary and confidentiality ensured. Approval from KNH Ethics & Research Committee was sought and granted. Data collection tools were self- administered questionnaires and observation checklists. Data was recorded and descriptive statistics determined. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was used at 95% confidence interval using SPSS statistical package. This study found that needlestick injuries are a reality at KNH with those who have ever sustained NSIs at 38.0% NSIs and those who have sustained NSIs in the 12 months at 14.5%. Jerking during injection, slipping of the syringe off the hand and recapping were reported as occurrences that led to the NSIs at 26%, 20.3% and 18.7% respectively. Occupation of a health worker was associated to ever suffering needle stick injuries (p=0.015) as well as reporting the injury (p<0.001). Doctors were found to be the most at risk. Education level influenced the incidences of needle stick injuries (p<0.001). Only 50.4% of the respondents reported the injuries immediately while 35% did not. Majority of the respondents (96.6%) knew that needlestick injuries can be prevented. Knowledge on HIV status of the source patient was not significantly associated with reporting of needlestick injuries. Only 62.9% of the respondents were fully immunised against Hepatitis B. Study results provide information that can be used to improve surveillance against needlestick injuries in the hospital and compliance to needlestick prevention measures in the hospital.