Needlestick and Sharps Injuries Among Nursing Students in Nanjing, China

Area of Science:

• Occupational Health
• Nursing Education
• Infectious Disease Prevention

Background:

• Needlestick and sharps injuries (NSIs) represent a significant occupational hazard for healthcare professionals globally.
• Nursing students are a vulnerable population within healthcare settings, facing unique risks for NSIs.

Purpose of the Study:

• To determine the prevalence of NSIs among nursing students in China.
• To identify key risk factors associated with NSIs in this demographic.
• To assess the reporting practices of NSIs within the study population.

Main Methods:

• A cross-sectional survey was administered to 442 nursing students.
• 393 completed questionnaires were analyzed to gather data on NSI occurrence and related factors.
• Statistical analysis was performed to identify significant risk factors.

Main Results:

• A high prevalence of NSIs was reported, with 60.3% of nursing students experiencing at least one injury.
• Female students, younger students, those working frequent night shifts, and those lacking safety training or personal protective equipment were at higher risk.
• Syringe needles were the most common source of injury (59.9%), followed by glass items (21.9%).
• Opening ampoules or vials was the most frequent injury mechanism.
• A substantial majority (86.9%) of NSIs were not reported to hospital infection control.

Conclusions:

• Nursing students in China face a considerable risk of NSIs.
• Implementing targeted occupational safety training programs is essential to mitigate NSI risks in this population.
• Improving reporting systems for NSIs is critical for effective prevention strategies.