RESUMEN
Introduction: The cleaning staff working in a health facility are at risk of needle stick injuries (NSI) because of the nature of their work which involves the disposal of used needles and sharps. This study aimed to determine the prevalence and risk factors of NSI among cleaning staff at Federal Teaching Hospital Gombe. Methodology: A cross-sectional study was carried out among 150 cleaning staff, selected using simple random sampling technique. An interviewer-administered questionnaire was used to collect data on the research variables. Data was analyzed using SPSS Version 23. Bivariate analysis was conducted to examine the relationships between sociodemographic factors and the prevalence of injury, while logistic regression was used to determine the predictors of needle stick injuries. Statistical significance was determined at a p-value of ≤0.05. Result: Majority of the respondents were males (64%) and uneducated (63.3%) with a mean age of 39.9±9 years. The prevalence of NSI among the cleaners was 35.3% with 23.3% having experienced injury at least once. Uneducated individuals were found to have experienced NSI more than those who were educated. Risk factors found to be predictors of NSI were sex, educational level, job duration of > 10 years, and number of hours spent during cleaning activity. Conclusion: Most of the staff were uneducated with no formal training before the commencement of work. Prevalence of NSI was high and therefore, there is a need for health education on the risks of the job and formal training of staff before commencement of work.
