Knowledge, Attitude, and Practice of Health Care Workers Regarding Needle Sticks and Sharp Injuries in Ranya Health Care Facilities
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.15218/ejnm.2025.16Keywords:
KAP study, Needlestick, Sharp Injuries, Infection prevention and control, Health Care FacilitiesAbstract
Background and objective: Needlestick and sharps injuries are a common occupational hazard for healthcare workers, posing a significant risk of bloodborne pathogen transmission. Inadequate training and awareness exacerbate this risk. This study aimed to assess healthcare workers' knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) regarding Needlestick and sharps injuries and to find out the relationship between KAP and demographic/work characteristics.
Method: A cross-sectional study was conducted in five healthcare facilities in Ranya Local Administration, Sulaimani Provenance, Iraq. 215 healthcare workers were selected by a non-probability convenience sampling method. The data were collected by a questionnaire form. The data were analysed using SPSS version 20, and the chi-square test was used to determine significant differences between categorical variables.
Result: Out of 215 respondents، 32.1% had a high level of knowledge, 60.9% had average knowledge, and 7% showed poor knowledge. Almost one-third of participants (37.2%) were found to have a good attitude, followed by a poor attitude (36.3%), and 26.5% had an average attitude. While 45.6% had good safe needle stick and sharp injury practices, poor practices were shown among 44.7%. Significant statistical associations were found between demographic factors—including age, academic qualification, years of experience, and hospital type and at least one domain of knowledge, attitude, or practice (P < 0.05).
Conclusions: The study concludes that most healthcare workers have moderate knowledge, acceptable attitudes, and average practices. The findings highlight the need for targeted training and stricter safety protocols to enhance knowledge, attitudes, and practices regarding needlestick and sharp injuries.
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References
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