Needle safety awareness among dental nurses

Area of Science:

• Healthcare worker safety
• Occupational health
• Infection prevention

Background:

• Needlestick injuries (NSIs) pose a significant risk to healthcare professionals.
• Dental nurses are at risk of NSIs due to exposure to sharps.
• Assessing awareness and attitudes is crucial for improving safety protocols.

Purpose of the Study:

• To determine the prevalence of NSIs among dental nurses in Cuddalore district, India.
• To evaluate dental nurses' awareness and attitudes regarding needle safety practices.
• To identify factors contributing to NSIs in this population.

Main Methods:

• A questionnaire-based survey was administered to 102 dental nurses.
• Data collected included demographics, NSI prevalence, causes, and responses to injuries.
• Awareness of injection safety practices was also assessed.

Main Results:

• 33.3% of dental nurses reported at least one NSI in the past 6 months.
• Nurses without a history of NSI showed only marginally better knowledge.
• Overall awareness and attitudes toward needle safety were poor.

Conclusions:

• A high prevalence of NSIs exists among dental nurses in the study area.
• Inadequate awareness and poor attitudes highlight a critical gap in needle safety.
• Targeted education and improved safety measures are urgently needed to reduce NSIs.