Effects of training course on occupational exposure to bloodborne pathogens: A controlled interventional study

Background: one of the serious occupational concerns in health care workers (hcws) is exposure to blood/body fluids that can transmit blood borne pathogens such as human immunodeficiency virus and hepatitis b and c viruses. we are reporting the effects of training course and surveillance on the rate of needle stick injuries (nsis) among hcws at an educational hospital in iran. aims: to evaluate the effects of training course on the rate of nsis and its reporting. methods: we selected two hospitals (a&b) based on their similarities in wards and facilities then asked the managers of these two hospitals to participate in our study. we established a new occupational health center and conducted a training course at hospital a on 2010 and compared it with control group (hospital b). the data from 2009 to 2011 was collected,analyzed to compare pre and post intervention rates. results: during study period nurses sustained the highest number of injuries (hospital a: n=80; 66.1% and hospital b: n=64; 35.4%). the incidence rate of nsis in hospital a was 7.16 nsi/100fte/ year before the intervention which was increased to 12.06 after the intervention. in hospital b this rate was 6.05 during three years. conclusions: the study revealed remarkable increase in the incidence rate of nsis after the intervention. this is being achieved by meticulous surveillance,training course and improving awareness.