Knowledge, attitude and behavior of nursing students about needlestick and sharps injuries

BackgroundNursing students who are majoring to become nurses are under risk with regards to complications and injuries due to practice lack and insufficient clinical experience.ObjectiveThis research was conducted to determine the knowledge, attitude, and behaviors of nursing faculty students regarding needlestick and sharps injuries.MethodsThis research was planned in a descriptive and correlational study. Attitude 447 students who accepted to take part in the research and suitable to the criterions of inclusion accounted for the sampling of the research. Scale oriented to "Attitude Scale for Safe Use of Sharps by Healthcare Workers" and "Student Information Form'' were used in the gathering of data.ResultsIt was seen that 29.5% of the students experienced at least one NSSIs during their education life and the most common injuries were in the 4^th year. Overall score point average of "Attitude Scale for Safe Use of Sharps" was found to be 118.11 ± 7.33 and according to age, gender, wounding case, wounding area and wounding reason, statistically significant differences were determined as regards to total scale and subscale score averages.ConclusionsAs a result, although the scores that the students knowledge, attitude and behaviours were high, it was seen that there were injuries. The sustenance of trainings oriented to preventing injuries can be suggested.