Introduction:: Needle stick injuries(NSI) pose a significant occupational risk for transmission of blood borne diseases among health care workers. As a result, these workers are at much higher risk of occupational acquisition of blood borne diseases like HIV, hepatitis B and C. Further, needle stick injuries are often under reported. In USA 6,00,000 to 10,00,000 health care workers receive NSIs from conventional needles and sharps every year, while in UK it is 1,00,000 HCWs/year. In India, authentic data on NSI is not available. It is known that around 3-6 billion injections are given per year, of which 2/ 3rd injections are unsafe (62.9%) and the use of glass syringe is constantly associated with higher degree of un-safety. The average percutaneous transmission rates for hepatitis B (HBV) and C (HCV) are 33.3 (6-33%) and 3.3 per cent (1-10%), respectively, while the sero-conversion risk for HIV is 0.31 percent. Therefore, preventing NSI is an essential part of any blood borne pathogens prevention programme in the work place. The present study was undertaken to determine the incidence of NSI among various categories of health care workers (HCWs), the causal factors, the circumstances under which these occur in order to make necessary recommendations to prevent NSIs. Material and Methods:: The study group comprised of 378 HCWs of various categories in present teaching hospital in Mangalore. Available records for last three years (2013-2015) were analysed specifically to identify various factors associated with NSIs. Results: A total of 378 HCWs were included in the study comprising of 49 resident doctors, 98 interns, 195 staff nurses and 36 technicians. During the period of study, a total of 96 cases of NSI were reported with an overall incidence of 25.39%. Recapping of needle was the most common procedure among the health care workers responsible for 55 (57.29%) of the occupational exposure. Highest incidence of NSI was found among nurses i.e. 41.66 % while the technician had lowest incidence i.e. 08.33 %. Hepatitis B vaccination status was found to be highest among residents i.e. 77.55%, while it was lowest 54.87% among staff nurses. Wards were the most common site for NSIs i.e. 54.16%. Conclusions: Needle stick injuries comprise an important occupational hazard for HCWs. While no NSI can be regarded as ‘could not have been prevented’ it is practically not feasible to avoid their occurrence altogether. However, their incidence can be minimized to a large extent. It is recommended that every hospital should develop a multi-pronged strategy to deal with NSIs. Besides health promotion and regular training; there should be a surveillance mechanism in every hospital and also the facilities for prompt response and treatment of NSIs.  

Keywords: Needle Stick Injuries(NSI); Hepatitis B; Occupational Exposure; Occupational Hazard.