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NEEDLESTICK INJURIES AMONG HEALTH WORKERS IN SAUDI ARABIA

Abdulelah Mohammed Alqarni, Ahmad Awadh Alatawi, Mohammed Hamad Alrashedi, Meshal Saleh Alatawi, Mohammed Ahmed Alhejaily

Background Needle stick injuries (NSIs) are serious occupational hazards in the transmission of a variety of blood borne pathogens such as hepatitis B virus, hepatitis C virus, and human immunodeficiency virus (AIDS) among healthcare workers (HCWs). NSI is a common event in the health-care environment and these injuries may occur not only with freshly contaminated sharps, but also with needles that carry dry blood. Objectives In this study, we aim to: report on previous literature on NSIs that were carried out in Saudi Arabia and worldwide and detect the prevalence, causes and complications of NSIs. Methods PubMed database and EBSCO Information Services were used for articles selection. All relevant articles to our review with the topics regarding NSIs have been used. We excluded other articles, which are not related to this field. The data will be extracted according to specific form in which it is going to be reviewed by the group members. Conclusion Prevention of NSI is the best way to prevent several diseases in health care workers. It should be an integral part of prevention programs in the work place, and training of HCWs regarding safety practices indispensably needs to be an ongoing activity at the hospital. It is recommended that every hospital should develop a multi-pronged strategy to deal with NSI. Besides health promotion, there should be setting up of an adequate surveillance mechanism in every large hospital and also of facilities for prompt response and treatment of NSI. Keywords: Needlestick, Injuries, Health Workers, Saudi Arabia.

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