Abstract

Introduction: World Health Organization estimates disclose that 1 in 10 health care workers (HCWs) worldwide sustain a needle stick injury each year. The risk of infection due to needle stick injuries (NSIs) varies from 0.5% to 40% for HIV and HBV infections, respectively. Globally, there is gross under-reporting of NSIs with the actual incidence of NSIs being much higher than those reported. Methodology: A quantitative research approach with one group pertest post-test design was used to assess the effectiveness of teaching program on knowledge regarding prevention and management of needle stick injury among staff nurse in a selected Hospital in Ajman, UAE. Data were obtained from 68 staff nurses by using a convenient sampling technique. Permission was sought from the hospital management and informed consent was taken from the participants. On 14th day after the teaching program, post-test was conducted for all the participants. The collected scores were tabulated and entered in the excel sheet and further analyzed by using SPSS statistical package. Results: The result shows that 79% of the staff nurses had adequate level of knowledge and only 21% had moderate level of knowledge. None of the staff nurses had poor knowledge regarding needle stick injury. After teaching program 97% of the staff nurses had adequate level of knowledge and only 3% had moderate level of knowledge. None of the staff nurses had poor knowledge regarding needle stick injury. Structured teaching program on needle stick injury was found to be effective at P (0.002). No association was found with any of the selected demographic variables. Conclusion: The findings of the study revealed that the structured teaching program could make a significant improvement in knowledge level of staff nurses. The study highlights the need for conducting similar awareness programs regarding prevention and management of needle stick injuries among healthcare professionals.

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