Prevalence of Sharp Injury and Associated Factors among Health care waste handlers in private Hospitals, Addis Abeba, Ethiopia, 2019.
No Thumbnail Available
Date
2019-10
Authors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Addis Ababa University
Abstract
Background: - A sharps injury is a penetrating stab wound from a needle, scalpel, or other sharp object that may result in exposure to blood or other body fluids. Wastes containing sharp materials may affect not only health workers who produce them, but also waste collectors and laundry personnel who handle and collect them. In addition, if not managed properly, it carries a substantial risk to the hospital staff, the patients, the community, public health and environment.
Objective: - To assess the prevalence of sharp injury and associated factors among health care waste handlers in private hospitals found in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia 2019.
Methodology: - An institutional based cross sectional study was conducted from January 01, 2019 to February 30, 2019 among private hospital found in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. A total of 437 health care waste handlers working in 25 private hospitals found in Addis Ababa were involved in this study. Data were collected using structured questionnaire adapted from previous similar literatures. The results were described by frequency, percentage, odds ratio, range and mean and presented using tables and graphs. The multi variable logistics regressions analysis were performed to see the association and control the potential confounders.
Results: -The prevalence of sharp injury experienced among private hospital health care waste handler was 55 (12.8%) in the past 12 months. Age, educational status, working department, total service year, and training on health care waste management were significantly associated with sharp injury. Health care waste handlers working in emergency room had increased the odds of getting sharp injury by 8.7 times compared to inpatient ward (AOR= 8.7; 95% CI= 1.3-60) and health care waste handlers who clean operation room were 8 times (AOR=7.7, CI=1.07-56.3) more affected than inpatient ward. Meanwhile, taking training about health care waste management and infection prevention decreases the odd of getting sharp injury by 3 times than those who do not take training (AOR=2.8, CI= 1.14-6.8). The odds of sharp injury among participant doing overtime were 3 times (AOR= 3.3; 95% CI= 1.117-10) higher than that does not.
Conclusion: - The prevalence of sharp injury among private hospital health care waste handler was high. Age, educational status, working department, total service year, training, and doing overtime were significantly associated with sharp injury. Remedial actions need to be considered at individual and institutional level.
Description
Keywords
Sharp, sharp injury, Private hospitals, healthcare waste handlers, Addis Ababa