Occupational safety training and education for needlestick injuries among nursing students in China: intervention study.

OBJECTIVES: To confirm the effect of occupational safety training and education programs (OSTEP) on needlestick injuries (NSIs) among nursing students in China. METHODS: Compare the rates and the nature of NSIs before and after OSTEP among the nursing students in China. Firstly, questionnaires were delivered to 248 randomly selected nursing students from seven training hospitals to obtain basic information concerning relevant occupational NSIs. Then regular intervention measures through OSTEP on 246 nursing students had been introduced for four years. And the resultant information concerning relevant occupational NSIs was obtained afterwards. Finally, the data analysis was performed using SPSS software, version 11.5. RESULTS: The rate of NSIs among these nursing students was relatively high before the OSTEP in China (average, 4.65 events/nurse). However, it decreased rapidly to 0.16 events/nurse average after the OSTEP. Occupational safety awareness and behavior in handling NSIs was improved in China. There was a significant difference in the results of Chi-square value (P<0.005). CONCLUSIONS: NSIs are common in nursing students in China. The OSTEP can reduce NSIs and change practical behavior markedly among nursing students in China. We should perform OSTEP on nurse students before and during the clinical practice. We must also provide effective preventive measures to reduce this kind of problem in future.

Needlestick injuries among nursing students in China.

OBJECTIVES: To describe and characterize the rates and the nature of needlestick injuries among nursing students in China. METHODS: A questionnaire was delivered to 248 randomly selected nursing students from seven training hospitals to obtain information relevant occupational needlestick injuries. RESULTS: A total of 1144 incidents of needlestick injuries were reported among the 246 nurses during the time period of internship. The overall rate of needlestick injuries among these nurses was 100%, according to this survey. Insufficient awareness of occupational safety and limited work experience with handling needlestick injuries in these nurse students were significantly reported. In addition, when stratified by departments, the highest rate of needlestick injuries was seen in the surgery department. The occurrence of needlestick injuries is significantly related to clinical practice behaviors. CONCLUSIONS: Needlestick injuries are commonly reported in nursing students in China. Enhanced awareness of occupational safety in nursing students is expected to reduce the risk of needlestick injuries.