Prevalence and Response to Needle Stick Injuries among Health Care Workers of Kenyatta National Hospital, Nairobi County, Kenya

Abstract

Needle stick injuries are occupational hazards which are quite prevalent among HCW who are pillars of Health care systems. The injuries can easily cause blood born infections such as HBV, HBC, and HIV. The diseases have worse outcomes which include long term illness, disability and even death. Health Care Workers optimal health is essential for efficient delivery of health services. The overall objective of this study is to determine the prevalence and response to needle stick injuries among Health Care Workers working at KNH. The study design will be descriptive while data will be collected by quantitative and qualitative methods. The Target population will be 1394 HCW who perform invasive patient procedures while the sample size will be 331 HCW. Data will be collected using self-administered structured questionnaires and Focused Group Discussion for a period of one (1) month. Data will be collected, examined daily for completion, coded, entered in to computer and analysed using SPSS version 20.0. Chi Square will be used to test association and relationship independent and dependent variables. Findings will be presented in Frequencies of various parameters, proportions, pie charts, tables and graphs. The expected benefits of the study findings will be to identify gaps in prevalence and response to NSI. Recommendations on Documentation and ways of addressing the gaps will be developed and the findings disseminated to the hospital management and concerned HCW.