Improving Knowledge of Needle-Stick Injury Prevention: A Two-Cycle Clinical Audit From Sudan

Area of Science:

• Occupational Health
• Infection Prevention and Control
• Healthcare Worker Safety

Background:

• Needle-stick injuries (NSIs) pose significant occupational risks to healthcare workers, transmitting blood-borne pathogens.
• Global standards mandate comprehensive training, safe sharps handling, and prompt post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) for NSI management.
• This audit assessed healthcare staff knowledge and awareness of NSI prevention and management in a Sudanese teaching hospital.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the effectiveness of targeted interventions on healthcare workers' knowledge and awareness regarding NSIs.
• To identify existing gaps in NSI prevention and management protocols within a hospital setting.
• To assess the impact of educational and reinforcement strategies on staff practices.

Main Methods:

• A two-cycle clinical audit conducted over twelve months at Bashair University Hospital.
• A structured questionnaire administered to 180 healthcare workers (doctors, nurses, technicians) across two cycles.
• Interventions included teaching sessions, posters, departmental reinforcement, and guideline summaries, with data analyzed descriptively and comparatively.

Main Results:

• Significant improvements were observed in knowledge of Hepatitis B Virus (HBV) as a key risk pathogen and understanding of PEP medication.
• Awareness of immediate wound washing reached 100% among nurses and technicians.
• A notable decline in awareness of formal reporting systems and reduced participation in refresher training were identified.

Conclusions:

• Targeted interventions effectively enhanced healthcare workers' knowledge of NSI prevention and management.
• Persistent gaps in training sustainability and reporting culture necessitate continued institutional support for lasting improvements.
• Sustained NSI prevention requires structured refresher programs, robust reporting mechanisms, and administrative commitment to sharps safety.