Abstract
Objective: To determine the frequency of Needle venipuncture. For discard of used needles, 49.7%
Stick Injury (NSI) among doctors working at a recapped and threw, 41.3% bend and threw and
tertiary care public hospital and their attitudes only 9% used needles cutters. Nearly half (43%)
towards safe needle practice. suffered from NSI during last six months. Among
Methodology: This survey was performed during sufferers, 34% discarded blood, 13% washed with
January and February 2010 in Civil Hospital, soap and water, 28% did nothing after the
Karachi. Data were collected using a self- incident. Only 9% reported the incident to the
reporting questionnaire that included concerned authorities.
demographic information, duration of clinical Conclusion: There were several deficiencies in
experience, HBV vaccination and its titer, usage of safe needle practices and there was lack of
protective gloves during venipuncture, number of adverse incident reporting facility and guidelines.
NSI during last six months, post exposure Increased awareness about the hazards,
prophylaxis (PEP) measures used and the preventive measures and reporting strategies
practice for discard of used needles. after NSI will help to optimize the occupational
Results: Total 155 doctors participated with mean safety of health care workers. (Rawal Med J
clinical experience of 20.06±30 months. 93% 2013;38: 226-229).
respondents were vaccinated against HBV but Key words: Needle stick injuries, health
only 24% knew their antibody titer. Only 31% care workers, occupational safety.
always wore gloves while performing
