Abstract

Background: Needle stick injuries are recognized as occupational hazards among healthcare workers, often leading to bloodborne infections with significant health and economic impacts. Few studies have compared the prevalence of needle stick injuries between healthcare workers in public and private facilities. This study, therefore, sought to determine and compare the prevalence of needle stick injuries and safety practices among healthcare workers in public and private health facilities in Lagos.

Methods: A descriptive comparative study was conducted among 215 respondents using a multi-stage sampling technique in public and private health facilities. Using an interviewer-administered questionnaire, data was collected, collated, and analysed using SPSS version 25 software and presented using descriptive (percentages, summary measures) and inferential statistics (Chi-square test). The level of statistical significance was set at a p-value

Key words: Bloodborne pathogens, Healthcare workers, Sharp injury, Safety practices, prevalence