Gluteal fibrosis, post-injection paralysis, and related injection practices in Uganda: a qualitative analysis.

BACKGROUND: Iatrogenic injection injury is a major cause of disability in Ugandan children. Two injuries thought to result from injection of medications into the gluteal region include post-injection paralysis (PIP) and gluteal fibrosis (GF). This study aimed to describe perceptions of local health care workers regarding risk factors, particularly injections, for development of GF and PIP. Specifically, we examine the role of injection practices in the development of these injuries by interviewing a diverse cohort of individuals working in the health sector. METHODS: We conducted a qualitative study in the Kumi and Wakiso Districts of Uganda in November 2017, utilizing 68 key informant interviews with individuals working in healthcare related fields. Interviews were structured utilizing a moderator guide focusing on injection practices, gluteal fibrosis and post-injection paralysis. RESULTS: We identified six themes regarding perceptions of the cause of GF and PIP and organized these themes into a theoretical framework. There was a consensus among the individuals working in healthcare that inadequacies of the health care delivery system may lead to inappropriate intramuscular injection practices, which are presumed to contribute to the development of GF and PIP. Poor access to medications and qualified personnel has led to the proliferation of private clinics, which are often staffed by under-trained practitioners. Misaligned economic incentives and a lack of training may also motivate practitioners to administer frequent intramuscular injections, which cost more than oral medications. A lack of regulatory enforcement enables these practices to persist. However, due to limited community awareness, patients often perceive these practitioners as appropriately trained, and the patients frequently prefer injections over alternative treatment modalities. CONCLUSION: This qualitative study suggests that inappropriate intramuscular injections, may arise from problems in the health care delivery system. To prevent the disability of GF and PIP, it is important to not only address the intramuscular injections practices in Uganda, but also to examine upstream deficits in access, education, and policy enforcement.

Examining unsafe injection practices associated with auto-disable (AD) syringes: a systematic review.

Auto-disable (AD) syringes are specifically designed to prevent syringe reuse. However, the notion that specific AD syringe designs may be unsafe due to reuse concerns related to the syringe's activation point has surfaced. We conducted a systematic review for evidence on the association between AD syringe design and syringe reuse, adverse events following immunization (AEFI), or blood borne virus (BBV) transmission. We found no evidence of an association between AD syringe design and unsafe injection practices including syringe reuse, AEFIs, or BBVs. Authors of three records speculated about the possibility of AD syringe reuse through intentionally defeating the disabling mechanism, and one hinted at the possibility of reuse of larger-than-required syringes, but none reported any actual reuse instance. In contrast to AD syringes, standard disposable syringes continue to be reused; therefore, the global health community should expand the use of AD syringes in both immunization and therapeutic context as an essential strategy for curbing BBV transmission.

Outbreak of hepatitis C virus infections originating from a breach in safe injection practices before contrast-enhanced computed tomography scanning.

Four patients who underwent contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CT) scanning were infected with hepatitis C virus from a contaminated multi-dose vial of NaCl. The outbreak likely occurred due to a breach in safe injection practices, resulting in contamination of the vial. Not all patients exposed to the same vial were infected. The uneven distribution of infections could be attributed to a stochastic effect of a low infectious dose. This implies that outbreak investigations need to be extended to all patients scheduled before and after the first identified infected patient to confirm or rule out nosocomial transmission.

One needle, one syringe, only one time? A survey of physician and nurse knowledge, attitudes, and practices around injection safety.

BACKGROUND: To inform development, targeting, and penetration of materials from a national injection safety campaign, an evaluation was conducted to assess provider knowledge, attitudes, and practices related to unsafe injection practices. METHODS: A panel of physicians (n = 370) and nurses (n = 320) were recruited from 8 states to complete an online survey. Questions, using 5-point Likert and Spector scales, addressed acceptability and frequency of unsafe practices (eg, reuse of a syringe on >1 patient). Results were stratified to identify differences among physician specialties and nurse practice locations. RESULTS: Unsafe injection practices were reported by both physicians and nurses across all surveyed physician specialties and nurse practice locations. Twelve percent (12.4%) of physicians and 3% of nurses indicated reuse of syringes for >1 patient occurs in their workplace; nearly 5% of physicians indicated this practice usually or always occurs. A higher proportion of oncologists reported unsafe practices occurring in their workplace. CONCLUSIONS: There is a dangerous minority of providers violating basic standards of care; practice patterns may vary by provider group and specialty. More research is needed to understand how best to identify providers placing patients at risk of infection and modify their behaviors.

A concealed observational study of infection control and safe injection practices in Jordanian governmental hospitals.

BACKGROUND: The recognized international organizations on infection prevention recommend using an observational method as the gold standard procedure for assessing health care professional's compliance with standard infection control practices. However, observational studies are rarely used in Jordanian infection control studies. This study aimed to evaluate injection practices among nurses working in Jordanian governmental hospitals. METHODS: A cross-sectional concealed observational design is used for this study. A convenience sampling technique was used to recruit a sample of nurses working in governmental hospitals in Jordan. Participants were unaware of the time and observer during the observation episode. RESULTS: A total of 384 nurses from 9 different hospitals participated in the study. A total of 835 injections events were observed, of which 73.9% were performed without handwashing, 64.5% without gloving, and 27.5% were followed by needle recapping. Handwashing rate was the lowest (18.9%) when injections were performed by beginner nurses. Subcutaneous injections were associated with the lowest rate (26.7%) of postinjection handwashing compared with other routes. CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrates the need for focused and effective infection control educational programs in Jordanian hospitals. Future studies should consider exploring the whole infection control practices related to waste disposal and the roles of the infection control nurse in this process in Jordanian hospitals.

Non-medical use of prescription drugs and HIV risk behaviour in transgender women in the Mid-Atlantic region of the United States.

Male-to-female transgender women (TGW) experience high rates of substance use and HIV. A recent substance use trend is the use of prescription medication without a doctor's consent. No research to date has examined the associations between this non-medical use of prescription drugs and HIV risk behaviour in TGW. In the present study, TGW recruited from community venues (N = 104) in the Mid-Atlantic region of the United States completed surveys assessing demographic information, non-medical use of prescription drugs, other substance use, injection practices and sexual risk behaviour. Twenty-four per cent of the sample reported lifetime non-medical use of prescription drugs across the following categories: analgesics (21.2%), anxiolytics (14.4%), stimulants (12.5%) and sedatives (8.7%). Participants reporting non-medical use of prescription drugs were more likely to report other substance use, needle use to inject drugs, injecting silicone and sharing needles. In multivariable analyses, non-medical use of prescription drugs was associated with unprotected sex, sex after engaging in substance use, and commercial sex work, after controlling for demographic factors. Self-esteem and social support from family served as protective factors for non-medical use of prescription drugs. HIV-prevention programmes focused on TGW in the United States may wish to expand their assessment of substance use to include the use of prescription medications without a physician's consent.

High HIV incidence in a cohort of male injection drug users in Delhi, India.

BACKGROUND: India has an estimated 177,000 injection drug users (IDU) with a national HIV prevalence of 7.14%. Reliable estimates of HIV incidence are not available for this population. METHODS: We report HIV incidence in a cohort of male, HIV-negative IDUs recruited through peer-referral, targeted outreach and as walk-in clients in Delhi from May to October, 2011. Fourth-generation Antigen-Antibody tests were used to diagnose new infections and results were confirmed using Western blot tests. HIV incidence based on HIV seroconversion was calculated as number of events/person-years. Cox regression was used to identify significant (p<0.05) seroconversion predictors. RESULTS: A total of 2790 male HIV-negative IDUs were recruited at baseline; 67.4% (n=1880) returned for their first follow-up visit and 96% (n=1806) underwent HIV testing. Participants were followed for a median of 9.7 months. A total of 112 new HIV infections occurred over a cumulative 1398.5 person-years of follow-up resulting in an incidence rate of 8.01 new infections/100 person-years (95% CI: 6.65-9.64); 74% of these participants reported risky injection practices in the past month. In multivariate analysis, moderate-high risk injection behaviors (Adjusted Hazard Ratio [AHR] 2.59; 95% CI 1.45-4.62) were associated with a higher risk of new infections. CONCLUSIONS: Male IDUs in Delhi continue to practice unsafe injection practices leading to high sero-incidence despite the availability of HIV prevention services offered through targeted intervention programs.

Medication injection safety knowledge and practices among anesthesiologists: New York State, 2011.

STUDY OBJECTIVE: To survey anesthesiologists to assess medication injection safety knowledge and practices, and to improve infection control programs of the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene and the New York State Society of Anesthesiologists (NYSSA). DESIGN: Survey instrument. SETTING: Scientific Educational and Professional Development Program Office, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, USA. MEASUREMENTS: A confidential, 23-question survey was emailed to a total of 2,310 NYSSA members. Data from the survey were culled from the responses of NYSSA members who practiced in New York State only. MAIN RESULTS: Of the 607 survey respondents, 595 met inclusion criteria (response rate 26%). Of these, 94% to 99% correctly answered 4 categories of questions about injection-contamination mechanisms. Respondents reported unacceptable practices (eg, not using a new needle and syringe for each new patient [3%]; not using a new needle and syringe to access medication vials [28%]; and combining vial content leftovers [11%]). Resident physicians reported these unacceptable practices more often than attending physicians. Use of medication vials for multiple patients (permitted for multi-dose vials but a potentially high-risk practice) was reported by 49% of respondents and was more common among those who worked in outpatient settings. Reported barriers to using a new medication vial for each new patient were medication shortages (44%), reduction of waste (44%), and cost (27%). Unacceptable or potentially high-risk practices were more common among respondents who reported ≥ one barrier. CONCLUSIONS: Although they were not necessarily representative of all anesthesiologists in New York State, unacceptable or high-risk injection practices were common among respondents despite widespread knowledge regarding injection-contamination mechanisms. System barriers contribute to the use of medication vials for multiple patients.