FREQUENCY OF NEEDLE STICK INJURY AMONG DENTAL CARE PERSONNEL IN ISLAMABAD DENTAL HOSPITAL

Abstract

Needle stick injury is a worldwide issue in health care facilities that helps in transmission of different blood borne pathogens. This study was conducted to identify the most common causes and frequency of needle stick injury among dental health care workers at different designations.

A 5-item questionnaire was provided to 191 candidates including dentists, house officers, final year students, third year students and paradental staff to estimate the frequency and occurrence of needle stick injury.

The results showed that 46.6% personnel had suffered from needle stick injury in the duration of their clinical practice in Islamabad Dental Hospital. The department having the highest occurrence was OMFS 57.3%. Recapping of needles 31.46% and personal carelessness 20.22% were the leading causes of NSI. Final year students had the most reported cases of NSI followed by house officers which was 33.70% and 23.59% respectively and the senior faculty had the least cases of NSI which was 5.61%.

The study concluded that recapping of needles and hasty work were the leading causes of NSI most commonly occurring in final year students. A standard protocol should be followed for its prevention in the health care institutions.