Pattern and risk factors of sharp object injuries among health care workers in two tertiary hospitals, Al Taif-Kingdom of Saudi Arabia 2016–2018
Authors: Raja A Fadil
Salih E Alzahrani
Nuha A Abdelmutalab
Sitalnesa A Abdelhafeez
Muzana M Shelwy
Walid Mazi
Nabiha Bouafia
Sultan Algamdi
Journal: Saudi Journal of Biological Sciences (2021)
Discipline: BIOLOGY & BIOCHEMISTRY
Keywords: Accidental exposure; Health care worker; Needle stick injury; Risk factors; Sharps object injuries.
Affiliations: Public Health Department and Education Department King Abdul-Aziz Specialist Hospital, Al Taif-Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Saudi Arabia., Infection Control Department, King Faisal Medical Complex. AlTaif- Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Saudi Arabia.

Abstract:  Occupational exposure of healthcare workers to blood and body fluids following skin injury constitutes a risk for transmission of blood-borne pathogens. The risk of exposure is greater as well. The present study aimed to determine the burden and risk factors of sharp object injuries in two tertiary hospitals in the Taif City KSA. Retrospective review of needle stick injury records was included from the two hospital's staff clinics. A Total of 131 health professionals (employees) recorded as exposed to sharp object injuries from both hospitals were enrolled during period 2016-2018. The collected data was cleaned, reviewed and analyzed using Statistical Package of Social Sciences SPSS ver. 25. The result of the study revealed that, the mean age for the 131 enrolled participants was 31 ± 6.6, Male to Female Ratio was 1:3. The most affected age group was 20-30 years (55.7%). Females were more affected 98 out of 131 (74.8%) than male (33out of 131 (25.2%). And there is increasing incidence rates of exposure from 2.89 /10.000 patient/day in 2016 to 3.42/ 10.000 patients'/day in 2017, with highest exposed nationalities; Filipino 42 (32.1%), Saudi 31 (23.7%), and Indians 26 (19.8%), the remaining 24.5% were from 10 mixed nationalities. The frequent affected divisions were: ER, surgical ward, operation room, ICU, laboratory, Medical W, Medical waste facilities (19.8%, 15%, 12.2%, 9.2%, 92% respectively). The most affected HCWs categories were nurses 74(56.5%), doctor 23(17.6%) and housekeeping 18 (13.7%). And the needle prick 104(79.4%) and cut wound 15(11.5%) constitute the highest type of injuries and were during operation 23 (17.6%), waste collection 15 (11.5%), cannulation 12 (9.2%) and giving injection 12 (9.2%). The common devices caused injuries were bore hole needle 63(48.1%), suture needle **(13.7%), cannula and insulin syringe 13 (9.9%) each. This study concluded that, as from 2016-2018, there was an increasing rate of reported accidental exposure to sharp needle injuries amongst HCWs from 3.0 to 3.4/10.000 patient/day, and the younger and nurses were mostly impacted. Workplace, distress, work types and load had influences on injuries rates and types. Fortunately, no exposure among employee with HBV, HCV and HIV seroconversion were documented. 

Retracted: No

PubPeer comments:
 Table 1: I think it s reasonable to expect that each of these subsections should add up to the same total. Would the authors please comment? ![file] , 
 Table 3:  Yellow men are mentioned twice in this table, perhaps there was supposed to be a different occupation. Would the authors please check? Could the authors clarify for me, as a point of personal interest, what a  yellow man does in a hospital. Genuinely curious, couldn t find anything online. ![file] , 
 yellow man mean medical waste collector , 
 #3 Thanks for answering the least important of my questions. Could you please clarify: Why don t the numbers in Table 1 add up? Why are  yellow men included twice in Table 3? If these are mistakes (as they appear to be) what do the authors think the appropriate course of action is? ,