M.A. / The aim of this research was to explore the lived experience of three medical doctors after experiencing a needle stick injury. Needle stick injuries were defined as injuries, self-inflicted or by colleagues, where a needle punctures or lacerates the skin. There is an associated risk of HIV transmission via a needle stick injury, which prompted the exploration of the psychological aspects of the injury. The research was contextualised in terms of South Africa’s spiralling rate of HIV infection, as a result of which, it is reasonable to expect that doctors will increasingly be treating HIV positive patients. The research explored an area that has largely been untouched by researchers. The literature study showed that as regards needle stick injuries, the focus tends to be on the injury itself, the risk of HIV transmission and the causal patterns surrounding it, rather than on the psychological consequences. The research takes the form of an exploratory study and as such it applied qualitative research methodology. Semi-structured interviews were used, as it allowed for the greatest flexibility. In addition, the semi-structured interviews allowed the doctors the freedom to introduce and explore areas that were outside the questions posed by the researcher. The interviews were conducted at a place of the doctors choosing and all were recorded. For reasons of confidentiality, no names have been used and dates of qualification etc have been deliberately vague. The research found that the doctors experienced anxiety and fear after their injuries. Furthermore, it shows how friends, family and colleagues left them to deal with these feelings unaided. Broad themes of emotional deprivation, isolation, the doctor as patient and responsibility and support, were identified. Lastly the research found that the doctors learnt from their experiences and were able to demonstrate more compassion towards colleagues who had similar experiences, which they had previously been unable to show. It is hoped that this research and its findings will provide some insight onto the experiences after such an injury, and perhaps prompt further research into an area that has largely been left untouched.

Thesis (MNurs)--University of South Australia, 1998

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of New South Wales, 2000. / Also available online.

Thesis (MA (Counselling Psychology))--University of Pretoria, 2005. / Includes bibliographical references.

The aim of the study was to explore the reasons why health workers reported their occupationally acquired needle stick injury. The secondary reasons for this study was to be able to identify the factors that contributed to the choice to report as well as the feelings health workers experienced during and after the injury.

The aim of the study was to explore the reasons why health workers reported their occupationally acquired needle stick injury. The secondary reasons for this study was to be able to identify the factors that contributed to the choice to report as well as the feelings health workers experienced during and after the injury.

Objectives: Risk associated with needlestick injuries (NSI) in health care workers (HCWs) in Taiwan has not been characterized. We conducted this investigation to study 1) the prevalence and yearly incidence of NSI in HCWs in Taiwan, and the risk factors associated with NSIs; 2) reporting behavior when a NSI was sustained; and 3) seroprevalence of blood-borne pathogens among inpatients. Combination of the above information allowed for risk estimation for contracting hepatitis B virus (HBV), hepatitis C virus (HCV) and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) in HCWs. Methodology: A cross-sectional questionnaire survey for life-time experience and frequency of NSI was conducted in a random sample from four strata of accredited hospitals according to the number of employees, from July 1996 to June 1997 in Taiwan. All full time employees, including physicians, nurses, technicians, and supporting personnel were recruited. Seroprevalence was examined for HBV, HCV and HIV among inpatients six years in age or older in one teaching hospital during July 1997 to June 1998. Results: A total of 10,469 health care workers were recruited from 16 out of 132 accredited hospitals and 82.6% (8,645) completed the survey, including nurses (61.0%), physicians (16.1%), medical technicians (14.9%), supporting personnel (7.9%). The prevalence of NSI were 93.1%, 86.6%, 78.3%, 61.0% in nurses, physicians, technicians, and supporting personnel respectively. The reported incidence of needlestick and other sharps injuries was 1.30 and 1.21 times per person in the past 12 months. Of the most recent episodes of NSIs, ordinary syringe needles accounted for 80.3% (95% CI, 79.4% - 81.2%) of hollow-bore needles associated incidents, and 74.1% (95% CI, 72.8% - 75.4%) of them were contaminated. The most frequently reported circumstance was the "Breakdown of Universal Precautions", recapping-related behaviors (81.6%, 95% CI 80.3% - 82.9%) of HCWs. More than a quarter (27.8%, 2,399) of HCWs were unprotected (either not vaccinated or having an unknown serological status) against HBV. Seroconversion in stuck HCWs was reported 1.8% for HBV (135), 0.2% (18) for HCV, 0.2% (15) for both HBV and HCV, 0.1% (5) for syphilis and less than 0.1% (2) for HIV. ^M A total of 81.8% of NSIs were unreported. Similarly, high incidence of NSI and low reporting rate were also found in student nurses. Seroprevalence of HBV, HCV, and HIV among inpatients were found higher than the reported rate in source patients of this survey. Seroprevalence of HBsAg was 16.7% in hospitalized patients, 1.7% positive for HBeAg, 12.7% for Anti-HCV, and 0.8% for Anti-HIV. Different seroprevalence rates of HBsAb (+), HBsAg (+), Anti-HCV (+), Anti-HIV (+) in different seasons were also found significant (p<0.001). The risk of seroconversion to HBV was thus estimated to be 0.003 ~ 0.008 time per person-year, HCV 0.003 ~ 0.007 per person-year, and HIV 0.4 ~ 1.2 /100, 000 person-year. Considering the number of HCWs in Taiwan, a total of 330 ~ 917 HCWs will seroconvert to HBV (+) in a year, 330 ~ 880 HCWs seroconvert to HCV (+), and less than one to two HCWs seroconvert to HIV (+). Conclusions: Needlestick and sharps injuries were highly prevalent among Taiwanese HCW and across job categories. Risk of seroconversion is real and significant. Preventive measures are warranted for reduction of contracting blood-borne pathogens in HCWs in Taiwan.

Thesis (MMed.(Community Health))--Universiteit van Pretoria, 2001.

In 2015 Dr. Pratiksha Vaghela started the “Stop Poking Me” campaign which was aimed at curbing the increase in the number of needlesticks at the James A. Haley Veteran Affairs Hospital (JAHVA). The data for needlesticks was collected by the Occupational Medicine Clinic (OMC) between Oct 2013 and Oct 2016. We then obtained the original data from Dr. Vaghela’s project and compared the data to assess whether the new implementations have truly decreased the number of needlesticks. There was a 23.6% reduction in the number of needlesticks between 2013 and 2016 and even more importantly a 60.1% reduction between 2015 and 2016. Our project shows that the decrease correlates to the implementation of the “Stop Poking Me” campaign.

Please read the abstract (Summary) in the section 00front of this document / Dissertation (MMed)--University of Pretoria, 2007. / School of Health Systems and Public Health (SHSPH) / MMed / Unrestricted