Needle Stick Injury among Health Care Workers and Its Aftermath in a Tertiary Care Hospital in East Delhi, India

Needle stick injuries (NSI) present serious occupational threat to healthcare workers (HCW). Due to lack of epidemiological data on NSI in this geographical region, the present study was conducted to estimate incidence rate of NSI, identify factors associated, assess awareness of HCWs and evaluate post-injury sero-reactivity rates. This cross-sectional observational study involved 524 HCWs (151 medical and 373 paramedical staff). A validated questionnaire was filled by investigator using interviewing technique. Blood sample was collected from study subjects who reported NSI within last 28 days, at the time of NSI and subsequently after 1, 3 and 6 months. Screening for HBsAg, anti-HCV and anti-HIV 1/2 antibodies was done using commercially available Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay Kit. Sixty-three HCWs, comprising mainly of medical staff, gave history of NSI in preceding 28 days. The most frequent procedure leading to NSI included recapping needles and suturing in 28.57%, while commonest root cause was haste in 61.91%. Majority (61.91%, 39/63) suffered from NSI during latter part of their duty hours. None became HBsAg, anti-HCV or HIV seropositive. The proportion of NSI among HCWs who had received training on prevention and management of NSI was significantly lower than those who were untrained. Hence training programs emphasizing on safe techniques must be conducted regularly and HCWs putting in long working hours must be allowed to take breaks. Needle stick injury among health care workers and its aftermath in a tertiary care hospital in East Delhi, India.