The Risks of Contaminated Needle Stick Injuries

World Health Organization reports in the World Health Report 2002, that of the 35 million health-care workers, 2 million experience percutaneous exposure to infectious diseases each year. In addition, it shows that 37.6% of hepatitis B, 39% of hepatitis C and 4.4% of HIV/AIDS in health-care workers around the world are due to needle stick injuries [1]. During 2002 to 2007, it has been reported that 1382 needle stick injuries occurred at Aga Khan University Hospital, Pakistan with higher incidence associated with young doctors (28.5%), and nurses (20.4%). It has been found that approximately 19% of overall injuries occurred during blood collection [2]. About 68.2% of health care workers are exposed to needle stick injury where the main factor for such exposure was heavy patient load. The vast majority of needle prick occurred during emergency care. Lack of awareness about postexposure prophylaxis was found among health care workers in North India [3]. As a consequence of the poor sanitary conditions in various health sectors, the investigators found that almost 60% of used syringes are improperly discarded, instead are most commonly dumped into general public waste. In regard to the occupational infectious risks, needle stick injuries were found the most common exposure among healthcare workers in Kuwait, whereas nurses were the most frequently involved healthcare personnel category [4]. People involving in garbage collection are more liable to get viral infections due to needle stick injuries [5]. Improper disposal of waste increased the risk for needle prick accidents among hospital housekeepers [6]. A study including 141 males was carried out on low socioeconomic garbage-collecting people in Karachi which revealed prevalence of hepatitis B 18.8%, followed by hepatitis C 8.5%, and HIV 0.85%. The investigators concluded that the important factors contributing to the high prevalence of hepatitis B and C were needle prick injuries, bare-handed/bare-footed collection of garbage, poor vaccination status, improper garbage disposal system and the site of waste collection [7]. Another study also revealed that municipal waste collectors had a significantly higher prevalence of hepatitis B virus infection (15%) in comparison to the control group (2.5%) [8]. Skin tuberculosis as a result of contaminated needle prick injuries were also reported among laboratory worker [9], and in a health care professional [10]. Health care workers also gained other infectious diseases by needle stick injuries including Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever [11], Plasmodium falciparum malaria [12], syphilis [13], and Vaccinia virus infection [14]. Sharp-safe needles were introduced recently to reduce the incidence of needle stick injuries. The use of these needles revealed a 26% yearly reduction in needle stick injuries compared with the ordinary ones [15]. Post-exposure prophylaxis plays an important role in prevention of blood-borne diseases after needle stick injuries. These procedures include immediate washing of the exposed area with soap and water; determination of risk associated with exposure; evaluation exposure sources for acquired immune deficiency syndrome (HIV), HBV and HCV; assessment of immune status for HBV infection for exposed person (i.e., by history of hepatitis B vaccination), injection of hepatitis B vaccine and immunoglobulin; administration of antiretroviral drugs; and evaluation and follow up of the exposed health care worker [16]. The Risks of Contaminated Needle Stick Injuries Haider Abdul-Lateef Mousa College of Medicine, University of Basrah, Iraq