Influence of Structured Education on Nurses' Awareness and Prevention of Needlestick Injuries

Abstract

Needlestick injuries (NSIs) constitute a significant occupational hazard for healthcare workers, particularly nurses, exposing them to potentially life-threatening bloodborne pathogens including Hepatitis B Virus, Hepatitis C Virus, and Human Immunodeficiency Virus. This study aimed to evaluate the influence of structured education programs on nurses' awareness and prevention practices regarding needlestick injuries in tertiary care hospitals. A quasi-experimental research design was employed involving 120 registered nurses from selected hospitals, divided equally into experimental and control groups. The experimental group received a comprehensive structured education program comprising didactic sessions, demonstrations, and hands-on training over four weeks, while the control group received routine hospital orientation. Pre-test and post-test assessments measured knowledge, attitude, and practice scores using validated instruments. Results demonstrated statistically significant improvements in the experimental group, with mean knowledge scores increasing from 12.45±3.21 to 21.87±2.14 (p<0.001), attitude scores improving from 38.23±5.67 to 54.76±4.32 (p<0.001), and practice scores advancing from 23.36±4.58 to 34.89±3.21 (p<0.001). The incidence of NSIs decreased by 68% in the experimental group during the six-month follow-up period. These findings underscore the critical importance of implementing structured educational interventions as an integral component of occupational safety programs to enhance nurses' competency in NSI prevention and management.