Knowledge Regarding Prevention of Needle Stick Injuries Among Second-Year Nursing Students: A Descriptive Study
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.63300/aathiyoga404062026.05Keywords:
Needle stick injury, knowledge, prevention, occupational hazards, nursing studentsAbstract
Background: Needle stick injuries (NSIs) are accidental punctures by needles that pose a risk of transmitting blood-borne infections (e.g., HIV, hepatitis B/C)[2][3]. Nursing students are particularly vulnerable due to inexperience[4]【16†L379-L384】. This study assessed knowledge of NSI prevention among second-year B.Sc. Nursing students in Madurai, India.
Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional design was used. Forty-one II-year nursing students participated via purposive sampling. A structured self-administered questionnaire (14 knowledge items) was used. Knowledge scores were calculated and categorized as adequate or inadequate. Descriptive statistics and chi-square tests (SPSS v.23) were applied[1].
Results: Of 41 students, 39 (95.12%) demonstrated adequate NSI knowledge, and 2 (4.88%) had inadequate knowledge (Table 1). No demographic factor (age, gender, etc.) was significantly associated with knowledge level (p > 0.05).
Conclusion: The majority of students showed high knowledge of NSI prevention. This high knowledge level is comparable to other studies in nursing populations[1]. Nonetheless, given the high stakes of NSI (thousands of HCW infections yearly[2][3]), ongoing education and practical training on NSI prevention are recommended.
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[1.] Asmar, I., Almahmoud, O., Abu Zahra, A., Qattousah, N., Sumreen, F., Mahmoud, A., & Maali, S. (2025). Prevalence, knowledge, and awareness of needle stick injuries among nursing students in Palestine and associated factors. Infection, Disease & Health, 30(2), 132–142[10][11]. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.idh.2024.11.004
[2.] Gheshlagh, R. G., Ebrahimi, H., Masih, S., Asmat, K., & Sharafi, S. (2025). Prevalence of needlestick injuries among nurses and nursing students in Pakistan: A meta-analysis of observational studies. BMC Nursing, 24, 1147[7][12]. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12912-025-03812-4
[3.] Khadka, S., Parajuli, S., & Tiwari, S. (2024). Knowledge regarding needle stick injury among nursing students of selected nursing colleges in Pokhara. Journal of Birgunj Nursing Campus, 2(1), 77–83[1]. https://doi.org/10.70397/jbnc.39
[4.] World Health Organization & European Agency for Safety and Health at Work. (2010). Strengthening Implementation of International Health Regulations and Safer Injection Practices. Geneva: WHO. (Referenced by Ghanei Gheshlagh et al., 2025[3])
[5.] Primary data source: Rajalakshmi, N., Gomathi, G., Hema, K., Gandhi, K. I., & Kalaivani, N. (2025). A study to assess the knowledge regarding prevention of needle stick injuries among nursing students II year [Unpublished manuscript]. College of Nursing, Madurai Medical College.
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