Occupational exposure to blood and body fluids among a group of Turkish nursing and midwifery students during clinical practise training: frequency of needlestick and sharps injuries.

AIM

To ascertain the number of needlestick and sharps injuries (NSSIs) in nursing and midwifery students and to assess the use of universal precautions among injured and non-injured students.

METHODS

A survey of a representative sample of nursing and midwifery students who did clinical practise in a hospital was conducted. In total, 203 students met the inclusion criterion of the study. Of these, 141 (69.46%) provided useable data. The survey form was designed by the researcher after reviewing the relevant literature. The data frequency, percentages, and χ(2) -values were examined.

RESULTS

According to the data, 35.5% of the participating students had experienced a NSSI, 54% of the students had received one NSSI, and 36.0% had two NSSIs. Sixty-six percent of the injured students had been injured by an ampoule and the majority of injuries occurred in the treatment room. Most of the students had washed their injury with antiseptic solution and 84% had not told anyone about their injury. While 86.5% of the students threw away used needles in the special sharps containers disposal box, 89.4% also stated that they always recapped used needles. Almost all the students had received the hepatitis B vaccine. Only 14% of the students stated that they always wore gloves.

CONCLUSIONS

This study shows that a significant percentage of nursing and midwifery students receive NSSIs. It is very important to frequently review information about preventive measures so that the students practise them during clinical practise every semester. Moreover, the instructors should monitor if the students are taking the necessary preventive measures without fail.