Prevalence and factors contributing to needle stick injuries among healthcare workers at acute care hospital in central Saudi Arabia

Background: Needle sticks and sharp injuries (NSIs) are significant occupational hazards for healthcare workers.Objectives: To identify the factors contributing to NSIs among healthcare workers at Armed Forces Hospital Wadi Al Dawasir (AFHWD), Saudi Arabia.Methods: A cross-sectional study design with 100 participants selected through purposive sampling.The instrument tools for data collection used a self-administered questionnaire adapted from previous related studies.Results: The study responder rate is 100%.Descriptive studies showed a low prevalence of NSIs among respondents 99%.Factors influencing NSI prevalence were primarily organization-related and skill-related, 75% and 69%, respectively.Behavioral-related factors varied widely among participants, with 41% reporting low and high levels of influence on NSI prevalence.The inferential studies revealed that while most Socio-Demographic characteristics did not significantly affect the outcomes, age (p = 0.009) and work experience at AFHWD (p = 0.009) were significant predictors of skill-related NSI factors.Conclusion: Study findings suggest that improving administration plans focusing on comprehensive continuous education and training on safe needle handling is crucial.Training should focus on proper injection techniques, handling sharps, and safe disposal of needles to mitigate the risk of NSIs among healthcare workers.