Accidental occupational exposure of health practitioners to blood after percutaneous injuries constitutes a risk for transmission of blood-borne virus pathogens. Few studies evaluated injection safety practices in Saudi Arabia.The objectives of the study were to assess the knowledge, attitude and practices of health care workers (HCWs) Physician and Nurses in primary health care center in Eastern Riyadh region about injection safety and to assess the availability of necessary resources for the infection control in their PHCCs.
Methodology
A cross-sectional Study was conducted in the PHCs in Eastern Riyadh health district of Saudi Arabia. Study population include total 201 participants (81 physicians, and 120 nurses) who were recruited among other care providers in the same health institution through random sampling. Data of current study has been collected through a questionnaire based on MOH facility assessment of infection control. There were 44 items that were consisted in questionnaire. Questionnaire were coded and entered into the computer through epi info and then data was extracted in excel sheet and finally entered into the (SPSS) version 23 for the analysis.
Results
Almost all centers used individually packed disposable syringes. The disposal system of needles and sharps objects at workplace in a well-controlled fashion by presence of puncture-proof containers and contracting with a professional company for disposal of sharps. The rate of NSI in the past year was reported by 17.9% (17% of physicians and 18.3% of nurses). study showed recapping the needle after use and bending the needle before disposal more prevalent among physicians than nurses and identified as significant risk factors for injury.
Conclusion
We found that Eastern Riyadh PHCCs have reasonable facilities that pre-vent NSIs. PHCCs need to design and implement more educational programs on safety injection for behavior change (e.g. about not recapping needles, disposal related issues) to keep them up-to-date and aware of new safe injection policies, practices and procedures.