Knowledge, attitude, and practices regarding blood-borne pathogens and needle stick injuries among nurses

Background: Blood-borne pathogens (BBPs) are microorganisms like viruses or bacteria carried in blood such as hepatitis B virus (HBV), hepatitis C virus (HCV), and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). Needle stick injuries (NSIs) are a common transmission route for these pathogens. Studies have shown gaps in knowledge and suboptimal practices related to blood-borne pathogens among nurses in various settings. Objectives: To assess the knowledge, attitudes, and practices of nursing staff regarding blood-borne pathogens and needle stick injuries over a one-month period, with the specific aim of identifying existing gaps and informing targeted infection control interventions to reduce occupational exposure risk. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted among 436 participants at a tertiary care hospital. A self-administered web based questionnaire was distributed through Google Forms covering demographics, knowledge, attitudes, and practices related to BBPs and NSIs. Descriptive statistics were used to analyse the responses. Results: A total of 436 nurses participated, the majority of whom were female (77.5%) and aged between 20-25 years (57.6%). While 71.3% of the nurses demonstrated adequate awareness of BBPs, significant gaps were identified, particularly regarding post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) for HIV, with only 48.2% aware of the critical time frame for its effectiveness. 98.9% of nurses recognised the importance of reporting NSIs displaying a positive attitude. 90.4% had completed the Hepatitis B vaccination series but 14.7% of nurses still engaging in needle recapping, a well-documented risk factor for NSIs. Conclusion: The findings highlight the need for targeted educational interventions to address knowledge gaps and reinforce safe practices.