Abstract

Introduction: Needle sticks and sharp injuries (NSSIs) have been recognized as one of the occupational hazards among health care workers. Occupational exposures to percutaneous injuries are substantial source of infections with blood borne pathogens among health care workers. Objective: The main objective of this study is to determine the prevalence and factors associated with needle stick and sharps injuries among health care workers. Methods: An institutional based cross sectional study design was conducted among health care workers who are working at least one year in east gojjam zone health institutions. A total of 449 study subjects were selected using simple random sampling technique through lottery method and included in the study. Data was collected using pretested Amharic version questionnaire through self administered interview of study subjects. To maintain the quality of data, pretesting, use of local language and supervision of data collection process was done. The collected data was cleaned, entered and analyzed using SPSS version 17 statistical software.