Volume 25, Issue 118, December 2021

Prevalence of sharp injuries among residents of surgical specialties in Saudi Arabia

Abdulaziz M Alajalin¹, Nawaf N Almutairi^2♦, Shuruq O Alshammari³, Sadin W Alhazmi⁴, Fahad S Alkhalaf², Abeer A Alhazmi⁵

¹Assistant Professor, Surgical department, Al-Imam Muhammad Ibn Saud Islamic University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
²Medical Student, College of Medicine, Al-Imam Muhammad Ibn Saud Islamic University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
³Medical Student, College of Medicine, University of Hail, Hail, Saudi Arabia
⁴Medical Student, College of Medicine, Al-Qassim University, Qassim, Saudi Arabia
⁵Medical Student, College of Medicine, Umm Al Qura University, Al Qunfudhah, Saudi Arabia

^♦Corresponding author
Medical Student, College of Medicine, Al-Imam Muhammad Ibn Saud Islamic University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

ABSTRACT

Introduction: Surgical residents are at risk to get infected with hepatitis C virus, hepatitis B virus and human immunodeficiency viruses, due to sharp injuries. Our aim is to assess the level of awareness, and the risk factors also illustrate the causes regarding the risk of Sharp injuries among surgical resident specialty Saudi Arabia. Methodology: This is a cross-sectional, study conducted in all Saudi Arabia regions. A total of 314 residents at any surgical field included in this study; in which the participated self-administered questionnaire that addressed if the participant had experienced any sharp-related injuries in the last year and assessed the level of awareness of residents. Results: Half of the participated residents have had a sharp injury during the past year. 66.9% of residents had been injured for 1-3 times in the last year, and 63.1% were aware of the policies toward the sharp injuries. Self-induced injuries were observed the most (74.5%). High risk injuries were reported among 24.2% of residents. 8 types of were recorded when sharp injured occurred, Suturing was the highest rate (80.9%), followed by "Loading" a needle (57.3%). Conclusions: The findings of the study indicate that majority of the sample experienced a sharp injury 1-3 times in the previous year, with the vast majority being self-inflicted, and the most frequent incidence of injury being a rush during a procedure. It is critical to act and raise knowledge about the risk factors for sharp injuries, as well as urge reporting of such incidents.

Keywords: Sharp injury, knowledge, attitude, practice, Saudi Arabia, surgical resident, blood borne, healthcare

Medical Science, 2021, 25(118), 3356-3364

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